Thammanat is Prayut’s Newin Chidchob

14 Sept 00:34 Key points summarised by AI

Thammanat Prompao mirrors Newin Chidchob, serving as an indispensable yet controversial political lieutenant to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, much like Newin was to Thaksin Shinawatra.
Newin was a powerful, unpopular figure who handled critical "dirty jobs" for Thaksin, eventually defecting and significantly contributing to his downfall.
Thammanat is similarly a shrewd power broker for Prayut, instrumental in forming the current government despite his contentious reputation and past rebellion against Pheu Thai.
Thammanat openly acknowledges his critical role, stating, "I'm the main artery of the government," which underscores his influence and the potential threat he poses if alienated.
Prayut faces a difficult choice: keep Thammanat close and risk drawing heavy public fire, or cut him loose and potentially watch him go rogue, a scenario reminiscent of Thaksin's past.

Cabinet approves ฿10.5bn central fund for flood relief

Yesterday 14:04 Key points summarised by AI

The Cabinet allocated 10.5 billion baht from the fiscal 2027 central emergency fund to provide financial relief for flood victims.
This funding will cover remaining compensation payments and relief operations for severely affected households, as fiscal 2026 funds have been exhausted.