Thailand urged to act promptly to avoid economic fallout

14 Sept 11:00 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand faces an urgent economic threat from a 36% US tariff on its goods, with its Finance Minister actively negotiating to reduce the tariff before the August 1st deadline.
Economists warn that ongoing political instability and underperforming tourism could further weaken Thailand's economy, potentially causing GDP growth to fall below 1.4% if the tariff persists.
Experts emphasize the critical need for Thailand to stabilize its politics, improve its domestic investment climate, and offer stronger incentives for foreign direct investment to mitigate the economic impact.
The US tariff is also viewed within a broader geopolitical context, as the US aims to reduce China's supply chain dominance in Southeast Asia, complicating tariff negotiations for regional countries like Thailand.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.