El Niño dry spell leaves Lampang rice crops withering

10 Sept 03:59 Key points summarised by AI

A severe El Niño-induced dry spell is devastating rice crops in Lampang province's Thoen district, with farmers experiencing unprecedented drought conditions during what should be the rainy season.
Local residents report critical lack of rainfall since June and completely dry natural waterways, threatening complete crop destruction for farmers who rely on natural runoffs.
Local authorities are issuing advisories against water-intensive crops, distributing water, and have requested budget for reservoirs to capture runoffs for long-term relief.
The Mae Wa sub-district, covering significant rice fields, is urgently appealing to agencies for immediate artificial rainmaking operations to prevent total harvest loss in the coming weeks.

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.