Grasshopper chirping contest revived in Songkhla

13 Sept 12:38 Key points summarised by AI

Songkhla province successfully revived a traditional grasshopper chirping contest, attracting approximately 1,000 insects to compete for prizes.
The event, a once-popular pastime in Thailand's southern provinces, was reinstated after years of suspension due to regional unrest, aiming to preserve local culture.
Competition rules emphasized fairness, allowing only locally caught grasshopper species and utilizing experienced, unbiased external judges to identify the loudest chirpers.
Beyond cultural preservation, the contest's revival has stimulated local trade, creating new business opportunities for startups, such as selling grasshopper cages.

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.