Housing bank sets aside 1 billion baht to help flood-affected customers

13 Sept 13:34 Key points summarised by AI

Government Housing Bank (GHB) allocates 1 billion baht to assist customers affected by flooding.
GHB introduces six comprehensive measures, including interest rate cuts for existing housing loans and new loans for house repairs or rebuilding.
Assistance features zero interest for the first four months of loan installments, followed by significantly reduced rates, and new loans up to 1 million baht at a low 3% interest for three years.
Debtors facing repayment difficulties can receive a 4-month debt moratorium, and for completely damaged houses, GHB may waive the remaining debt on the structure.
Affected customers are urged to contact GHB for assistance by December 28.

Speculation growing over merger between Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham parties

Yesterday 16:46 Key points summarised by AI

A dinner between Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Kla Tham leader Capt. Thamanat Prompow ignited widespread speculation about a potential merger between their parties.
The meeting is viewed as a strategic message to coalition partner Pheu Thai, indicating Bhumjaithai's alternative options following Pheu Thai's chief whip's remarks about not fully defending all ministers in the upcoming no-confidence debate.
A direct merger between parties with sitting MPs is currently prohibited by Section 99 of the Constitution until the House's term expires, though MPs can switch parties through dismissal or party dissolution.
These constitutional rules aim to prevent financially strong parties from easily absorbing smaller ones, a practice that historically led to single-party dominance, as seen with Thai Rak Thai's 2005 election victory.