Fury and fatigue: Bangkok counts down to Sunday's election

14 Sept 01:54 Key points summarised by AI

Bangkok's upcoming gubernatorial and city council elections are largely overshadowed by controversies, corruption allegations, and political attacks rather than substantive policy debates.
Political scientists express concern that campaigns prioritize attacking opponents and rehashing past controversies, neglecting the presentation of concrete urban development policies.
Despite the negative campaigning, leading candidates have outlined visions for improving Bangkok's liveability, infrastructure, and services, though these proposals often struggle to gain public attention.
The elected governor will face significant systemic challenges, including legal constraints from outdated legislation that limit executive powers and hinder effective urban governance.
Widespread political fatigue is expected to reduce voter turnout, with many Bangkokians increasingly seeking independent, credible candidates untethered from national political affiliations.

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.