Senate under siege, but PM might like it

11 Sept 21:52 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, despite facing intense pressure, could gain temporary relief if a charter amendment drive takes an unusual course, potentially mimicking the 1997 "People’s Constitution" birth process.
The idea of establishing a charter drafting assembly to amend the constitution, bypassing Parliament's exclusive role, is gaining traction among coalition parties, the opposition, and even protesters, offering a potential path forward.
The Senate faces a critical dilemma: agreeing to the drafting assembly might be seen as accepting its eventual dissolution, while resisting would prolong severe political problems and intensify anti-establishment sentiment.
A lengthy drafting assembly process could provide PM Prayut much-needed breathing space, allowing him to deflect calls for his resignation or parliamentary dissolution and hope for a shift in public opinion.
A more chaotic scenario exists where protesters and the anti-government camp might demand the immediate dissolution of the Senate before any charter drafting assembly process can begin, potentially escalating political tensions.

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.