A three-horse race for the next election?

21 Sept 04:43 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha strategically delays his political announcement, timing it with new election laws and a planned meeting to lift political activity bans, signaling a calculated path to the next election.
Pro-junta groups like "Sam Mitr" and the "Pracharath Party" are aggressively poaching candidates and campaigning for Gen Prayut, while rival parties remain restricted by political activity bans.
The upcoming election is poised as a "three-horse race" between the embattled Pheu Thai Party, the conflicted Democrat Party (hesitant to back Prayut or ally with Pheu Thai), and the emerging pro-Prayut factions.
Gen Prayut's return to power is facilitated by a constitution that could allow him to become prime minister without directly contesting the election, though an alliance with a winning party remains a possibility.
Fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra actively combats defections and asserts his continued influence over the Pheu Thai Party through social media.

Japan’s emperor and empress welcome Queen Suthida at Tokyo palace

Today 08:44 Key points summarised by AI

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako formally welcomed Thailand's Queen Suthida at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, marking their first meeting.
Queen Suthida is visiting Japan as the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) first Women’s Global Ambassador, attending the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Championship in Sapporo.
During her visit, she presented medals and awards to athletes, with a light-hearted exchange with a player gaining online attention.
Her aviation background, including personally piloting her royal aircraft to Japan and a recent solo Gripen fighter jet flight, also drew significant media interest.