Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed tough action against all officials involved in awarding special privileges to Chinese inmates, after a raid at Bangkok Remand Prison uncovered prohibited items and allegations that women were being smuggled into restricted areas.

Neither trade negotiations with the United States nor the government’s economic agenda will be disrupted even if parliament is dissolved, says Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, expressing confidence that key policies will stay on track.

Songkhla province has declared an emergency disaster zone in seven districts after days of heavy rain triggered widespread flooding, affecting nearly 18,000 households. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

CHIANG MAI: The government will step up investigations into narcotics and grey-market businesses, warning that all involved, including officials, will face consequences, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

The Finance Ministry plans to gradually raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate by an additional 1.5 percentage points to 8.5% by 2028, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday.

Torrential rain has caused flooding in southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Surat Thani and will continue in the South until Sunday, forecasters say.