Gen Prayut insists next PM duty-bound to follow national strategy

23 Sept 03:46 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared that Thailand's next prime minister is constitutionally obligated to implement the 20-year national strategy, serving as chairman of its oversight committee.
He defended the strategy, covering economic, social, and security spheres, as crucial for national continuity and flexible with allowed amendments every five years, despite critics labeling it a 'political straightjacket'.
Prayut challenged political parties, particularly those referencing 'future' in their names, that threaten to abandon the strategy, inviting them to debate its necessity.
Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit responded by advocating for creative politics, emphasizing people's power, and promoting policy competition to build a new future for Thailand, rather than engaging in prolonged debates.

Suspected drug couriers killed in Phetchaburi; half a tonne of Ice seized

Yesterday 16:06 Key points summarised by AI

Two suspected drug couriers were killed in a shootout with narcotics officers in Phetchaburi province.
Authorities seized approximately half a tonne of crystal methamphetamine, also known as Ice, during the operation.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night after officers tracked a network suspected of transporting large quantities of drugs to southern Thailand.
The suspects, identified as Chattharin and Rungarun, both 27, opened fire when confronted by officers, who returned fire, resulting in their deaths.