Thai court accepts invasive fish case against food giant
The alien species, native to west Africa, has been found in 19 provinces in Thailand, damaging ecosystems in rivers, swamps and canals, and last year the government declared its eradication a national priority.
As well as the ecological impact, authorities are concerned about the threat it poses to the Thai fish-farming industry, one of the country's most crucial sources of income.
A Thai court agreed to hear the case against Charoen Pokphand (CP) on Tuesday, according to a member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
"Today, a civil court in Bangkok accepted the case filed by fishing professionals in Samut Songkhram who have been affected by tilapia," Somchai Armeen, a senior environmental lawyer at the council who is responsible for the case, said on his Facebook account.
The lawsuit, filed six months ago on behalf of more than 1,400 fishing professionals, accuses CP of introducing blackchin tilapia into Thailand by importing the species from Ghana in 2010, a statement from the council said.
The group demanded 2.48 billion baht ($73 million) in compensation, it added.
Charoen Pokphand is one of Thailand's largest conglomerates. Its founders, the Chearavanont brothers, are Thailand's second richest family, according to Forbes in 2024.
The company has faced increasing scrutiny over monopolistic practices, particularly after its merger with Tesco in 2020.
tak/pdw/mtp
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
PRCA Thailand Conference Reveals Nine in Ten Thais Want Transparency as AI Use Explodes
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 August 2025 – As Thailand accelerates investment in artificial intelligence (AI), new research from PRCA APAC and YouGov reveals that trust is the cornerstone of public acceptance. While there is cautious optimism and strong calls for regulation, the Thai public expects transparency from brands and institutions to build and maintain that trust. PRCA 1 Presented at the inaugural PRCA Thailand Conference 2025, the study, titled 'The Impact of AI on Thai Society', reveals a complex national picture. While Thailand is emerging as a regional leader in AI, with a USD 15.4 billion investment in infrastructure and a national plan to produce 90,000 AI professionals, the public remains sharply aware of the risks that come with rapid adoption. Key highlights from the research include: 'Trust and transparency aren't just public expectations, they're now brand imperatives in the AI era,' said Dr. Karine Lohitnavy, Chair of PRCA Thailand and Founder of Midas PR. 'As communicators, we have a vital role to play in bridging the gap between innovation and understanding. That means helping the public make sense of AI's impact while holding brands accountable to ethical, human-first storytelling.' Speaker Narongyod Mahittivanicha, Founder of TWF Agency and Vice President of the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand, reinforced the irreplaceable role of human creativity in public relations. Referencing a recent viral Coldplay-related campaign known as the 'Astronomer CEO' crisis response, he noted that the level of creativity, emotional intelligence, and nuance involved is something AI cannot yet replicate. In a fireside chat titled 'Viva La Press Release! Old Format, New Tech,' Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: 'In today's digital publishing and AI era, press releases play a vital role in driving brand trust through verbatim, guaranteed posting on authoritative news websites. These features give PR professionals the ability to control the narrative of key corporate messages, building brand equity with targeted journalists and media across their chosen markets. The advancements in AI will further empower the public relations industry.' Panel discussions included leaders from Microsoft Thailand, SCBx, Predictive, and Xponential Co., exploring AI's real-world applications in PR, brand reputation, and public perception. Moderated by Edelman Thailand's Vorasit Turongsomboon and digital creator Tossapol Leongsuppon, the panels addressed ethical governance, influencer transparency, and the public's call for structured AI education and stronger regulation. Jaruwan Vorarakthananun, Communications Lead at Microsoft Thailand, said: 'AI isn't here to replace communications professionals—it's here to empower us. Generative AI is still evolving, learning every day. It's up to us to guide its growth and ensure it truly works for us. Don't hesitate to adopt AI into your daily work. Treat it as a trusted assistant that helps us work smarter, faster, and with greater impact.' PRCA 2 The inaugural PRCA Thailand Conference took place on 6 August 2025 at SCBx NEXT Tech, Siam Paragon, bringing together professionals from Thailand's public relations, business, and technology communities. The conference was supported by Gold Sponsor Media OutReach Newswire and other sponsors, including Edelman Thailand, MIDAS-PR, Moonshot Digital, Vero, SCBX, and YouGov. More information on the PRCA Thailand Conference and images are available online. The Impact of AI on Thai Society whitepaper can be read here. Hashtag: #PRCAThailand The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About PRCA The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is the world's largest professional PR body. We represent more than 35,000 PR professionals in 82 countries worldwide, and we are a global advocate for excellence in public relations. PRCA APAC was founded in 2018 to further our growth across the APAC region. Our mission is to create a more professional, ethical and prosperous PR industry. PRCA Thailand is building a community for PR and communications pros to level up. Through expert training and exclusive events, it helps boost skills and deliver real results. By connecting professionals and raising industry standards, PRCA Thailand is shaping the future of communications. It fuels collaboration and ensures PR's voice is heard loud and clear across Thailand's economy.
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
Elon Musk called on corporations to leave Delaware. Delaware says it's doing just fine.
Elon Musk has a Rolodex of feuds: US President Donald Trump, "212" rapper Azealia Banks, and even a British diver who helped save a Thai soccer team stuck in a flooded cave. In 2024, he set his sights on Delaware. Although Delaware is generally considered a business-friendly state with a robust corporate legal system, Musk tried to shatter that reputation after a judge at Delaware's Court of Chancery denied his multi-billion-dollar pay package, which was approved by Tesla's board. In typical Musk fashion, he used his X account as a megaphone to blast the court and urged others to incorporate their business elsewhere. "Companies should get the hell out of Delaware," Musk wrote last August. Musk moved SpaceX and Tesla from Delaware to Texas in 2024. Some prominent companies have since followed Musk out of the state. VC firm Andreessen Horowitz is the most recent high-profile company to exit Delaware because, the company said in a blog post, recent rulings by the Court of Chancery had undermined its "reputation for unbiased expertise." Companies like Roblox, Dropbox, and Trump Media have also left the state. Texas, Nevada, Florida, and Wyoming have become preferred destinations for some business leaders in a shift that some have dubbed "Dexit," a reference to the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, known as Brexit. The state's historical dominance as a destination for companies to incorporate is rooted in the Delaware General Corporation Law, a business-friendly statute that acts as the bedrock of its corporate law. Companies leaving Delaware might do so for various reasons, including privacy or tax preferences, but for Musk, it's about finding greener legal pastures. For its part, Delaware isn't overly worried. Dexit? Not according to Delaware. Attorneys and state officials still consider Delaware the premier destination for corporations, despite Musk's criticism. "Yes, there has been some political rhetoric about leaving Delaware," Delaware Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez told Business Insider. "What our data is showing is that Delaware is still the preeminent place to incorporate your business." Patibanda-Sanchez's office oversees the Division of Corporations, which says the state was home to over 2.1 million corporations and two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies in 2024. Still, the number of business entities formed in Delaware has slowed slightly, falling from about 313,000 in 2022 to about 289,000 in 2024. Joshua Margolin, a partner at Selendy Gay who is familiar with corporate governance in Delaware, told Business Insider that the state's decadeslong experience navigating corporate disputes is a big reason the state remains a top destination. "You've got judges who sit on the Court of Chancery who have spent their entire careers litigating corporate disputes," Margolin said. "That is invaluable to have that experience on the bench when you're bringing a dispute, whether you're the plaintiff or the defendant." Margolin added that Delaware has a "breadth and depth of case law and precedent that I don't think other states can rival." "I think if you went back over time, you'd see various states creating business courts that are in one way or another meant to try to mirror the expertise of the Court of Chancery," he said. Lindsey Mignano, founding partner of SSM Law PC, which represents emerging tech companies, said Delaware remains the "simplest, most cost-effective choice" for business founders. Mignano said many of the documents related to governing financing for startups are based on Delaware corporate law, meaning attorneys would need to adopt those templates to fit the requirements of other states. "This is an expensive lift from a practical perspective," Mignano said. Patibanda-Sanchez said, for now, the state isn't sweating. "We don't believe that Delaware's position as the corporate leader and corporate capital of the world is being threatened in any significant way," Patibanda-Sanchez said. "We always come under threat, though, because states are always trying to get a piece of the action." In February, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer told Business Insider that things may "need to change" as companies considered leaving the state. Meyers approved changes to Delaware's corporate law in March. This month, Delaware's Court of Chancery said it would automate its process for case assignment, which could address concerns of bias.
Bloomberg
11 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Thai Mutual Fund Assets Hit Record $192 Billion on Stock Rally
Thai mutual fund companies saw their assets climb to a record 6.2 trillion baht ($192 billion) in July, as a rally in global stocks boosted their equity holdings and local markets rebounded after a big underperformance. Total assets under management jumped 3.3% last month from June, according to data from the Association of Investment Management Companies in Thailand. The value of assets rose 5% from the end of 2024. Thai equities have also been supported after the central bank cut its policy interest rate to bolster the economy.
