One year on from deadly Bangkok quake collapse, accountability still buried

13 Sept 17:03 Key points summarised by AI

A year after the deadly Bangkok State Audit Office (SAO) building collapse, no state official has faced punishment despite 96 deaths and significant public fund losses, leaving a gaping accountability void.
While 23 private companies and their executives are charged with negligence in design and construction, investigations into around 70 state officials for alleged bidding corruption have yet to result in public action or naming of the accused.
Despite the tragedy exposing substandard construction and design flaws, no new safety guidelines or policies have been implemented to prevent future occurrences, raising concerns about unchecked government failures.
Bereaved families, though receiving financial compensation, express that the money is a 'hollow substitute' for their lost loved ones, with many emphasizing that it cannot ease their grief or replace family members.

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.