Chatu Mongol…for real or just seat warmer?

1 Oct 09:17 Key points summarised by AI

M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul, a 75-year-old former central bank governor with no prior political experience, was unexpectedly named leader of the new Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT) party, which supports Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
His political debut immediately sparked speculation that he might be a temporary figure, as veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, despite holding no formal position, appears to be the true power behind the ACT party.
Sources suggest Chatu Mongol's leadership is likely temporary, serving to project a positive image and attract new members, with a permanent leader expected to be elected once political activity bans are lifted, affirming Suthep's ultimate control.

Suchada: Meet the reluctant star of Thailand’s cryptic crypto drama

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai MP Suchada Zhang Thaensap faces intense scrutiny over her husband’s substantial 1.84 billion baht wealth, with opposition lawmakers alleging connections to international scam networks.
A significant portion of her husband, Taiyang Zhang's, declared assets includes a 1.44 billion baht loan to the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which still owes him 1.34 billion baht.
Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome accused Suchada's husband of links to online scam networks and gambling sites, prompting Suchada to vehemently deny the claims, demand evidence, and file a defamation complaint.
Taiyang Zhang's background includes co-founding Ren Protocol, later sold to Alameda Research (linked to the FTX collapse), and some of his former associates have been convicted in crypto company failures.
Suchada, a former actress and first-time MP, maintains her husband's innocence, while her party leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations, deeming it a private matter.