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Ready-to-eat food shortages in Bangkok’s convenience stores

Today 13:50Key points summarised by AI

Bangkok and surrounding provinces face widespread shortages of ready-to-eat food and essentials in convenience stores as residents stock up due to looming flood concerns.
Motorists are also rushing to fill fuel tanks, fearing petrol and diesel shortages, indicating broader panic buying across the region.
The Commerce Minister has ordered officials to actively monitor supplies, prevent price gouging, and ensure adequate food availability throughout the flood period.
The public can report instances of overcharging, shortages, or absent price tags to the Department of Internal Trade hotline or local commerce offices.

Today 14:47Key points summarised by AI

**NACC Expresses Reservations:** The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has not approved or rejected the government's digital wallet scheme but voices significant concerns regarding its legality, fiscal discipline, and potential for corruption.
**Identifies Key Risks:** A NACC panel study highlights four main issues: risk of policy corruption, lack of economic necessity for universal distribution, potential constitutional breaches, and questions about blockchain technology's appropriateness.
**Advises Caution & Targeting:** The NACC urges the government to proceed with extreme caution, ensuring the 500 billion baht expenditure is justified, adheres to good governance, and suggests targeting aid only to the poor through conventional budgetary means instead of a loan.
**Warns of Fiscal Burden:** The watchdog emphasizes that the scheme's hefty cost will impose a long-term financial burden on the national exchequer and the public, requiring budget allocations for loan repayments for up to five years.