Pheu Thai slams government's aid package as populist move to woo voters

1 Oct 19:13 Key points summarised by AI

Pheu Thai Party criticizes the government's 86.9 billion baht aid package as a populist pre-election tactic, not a genuine solution for poverty.
The party argues the package is a 'gimmick' to win votes, questioning the timing and suggesting it implies the government's past poverty alleviation efforts have failed.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and government spokesman deny the allegations, insisting the aid is a long-planned policy to address poverty, with the election timing being a coincidence.
The aid package includes increasing pensioners' monthly allowance to 1,000 baht and providing electricity and water allowances for 14.5 million welfare cardholders.

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.