‘We keep drowning to save Bangkok’: Ayutthaya locals plead for flood relief

14 Sept 01:25 Key points summarised by AI

Low-lying Bang Ban district in Ayutthaya acts as a crucial flood-retention zone, enduring severe annual inundation to protect downstream cities like Bangkok from devastating monsoon floods.
Locals report that floods are worsening each year, lasting for months, submerging homes, and causing significant hardship, with current government compensation proving inadequate to cover losses and damages.
Residents and civic experts criticize the authorities' water-management strategies, highlighting uneven inundation within the district and a lack of comprehensive planning to alleviate their prolonged suffering.
While a new Bang Ban-Bang Sai drainage canal is nearing completion to improve water flow, locals express skepticism about its long-term effectiveness without a broader overhaul of Thailand's flood-management strategy and expanded capacity in downriver areas.

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.