AI In-brief Today 13:26

Watchdog Thailand president claims ฿13m embezzled from foundation

Current WDT President Alleges ฿13 Million Embezzlement: Bhurita Wattanasak, president of Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT), claims her predecessor embezzled approximately 13 million baht in public donations for personal use.
Irregularities Discovered in Spending: An internal review revealed significant irregularities in animal treatment expenses, unauthorized spending, and transfers from foundation accounts to the former president's personal account.
Foundation Faces Financial Distress: The WDT now holds only tens of thousands of baht, severely hindering its ability to hire staff or legal counsel due to the alleged financial mismanagement.
Libel Complaint Filed Against TV Anchor: A former WDT vice president filed a libel complaint against ex-TV news anchor Narakorn Tiyayon, who had publicly alleged that donations were transferred to personal accounts of previous presidents and committee members.

AI In-brief Today 08:52

Mae Sai residents seek action on cross-border water contamination

Mae Sai residents and farmers are petitioning the government for urgent action on toxic water contamination and the lingering impacts of upstream mining following the devastating 2024 floods.
Key demands include a Cabinet visit to inspect the site, deployment of mobile water purification trucks, establishment of alternative water sources, and a food safety testing center in Chiang Rai.
Residents are advocating for expedited Thai-Myanmar joint working group meetings on water quality and the formation of a national-level committee to formulate sustainable long-term solutions.
They propose permanent flood walls for prevention and strongly suspect upstream mining operations are exacerbating flood severity by causing sediment accumulation and altering natural river flow.