Thailand’s new pollution register: A last shot at clean air?

13 Sept 05:02 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Parliament is advancing a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) bill, aiming to combat severe industrial pollution and improve air quality after years of environmental crises.
The PRTR bill mandates industries to publicly disclose the types and quantities of pollutants they release into the environment, providing communities with vital data on local health and environmental risks.
Modeled on international best practices like the US Toxic Release Inventory, this legislation seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, and empower citizens to make informed decisions and proactively respond to pollution incidents.
The bill includes stringent penalties for non-compliance or false reporting, representing the culmination of over two decades of advocacy for systemic change to protect public health and the environment.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 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.