The breath of giants: Why Thailand is losing its two-decade war on smog

10 Sept 22:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's two-decade 'war on smog' is failing, with air pollution, primarily from PM2.5, escalating into a year-round national health crisis.
Millions of Thais suffer severe health consequences, including rising lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as PM2.5 bypasses natural defenses and causes systemic inflammation.
Ineffective government strategies, fragmented authority across ministries, and counterproductive policies like 'Zero Burning' exacerbate the crisis, failing to address primary drivers like agricultural burning and industrial pollution.
A critical 'Clean Air Bill,' designed to hold polluters accountable, faces imminent rejection due to political inaction, highlighting a potential prioritization of economic investment over citizens' health.

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.