2.7 million appeals filed against state welfare denials in just two days

14 Sept 05:04 Key points summarised by AI

Over 2.7 million Thai citizens, 30% of those disqualified, filed appeals against state welfare card denials within two days, complicating the government's plan to cap recipients due to budget constraints.
Many applicants were disqualified for failing to meet requirements such as earning over 100,000 baht annually, having debts or bank deposits exceeding 100,000 baht, or owning specific vehicles; non-formal education students are also barred.
The Ministry of Transport will amend vehicle ownership regulations to exclude older cars/motorcycles and certain vehicle types, addressing a key disqualification factor.
Political observers criticize the bureaucratic hurdles for appeals and question the government's understanding of poverty, drawing comparisons to previous policy backlashes.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.