Police arrest 21 activists ahead of Wednesday’s major rally

14 Sept 04:49 Key points summarised by AI

Police arrested 21 political activists, including Chatuphat Boonpattharaksa (Pai Doadin), at Democracy Monument for unauthorized public gathering and obstructing a royal motorcade, a day before a major anti-government rally.
The arrests sparked immediate protests from the Ratsadorn Group, who demanded the activists' release and urged a massive turnout for Wednesday's planned demonstration against the Prayut government.
The Ratsadorn Group aims to pressure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign, adopt a new constitution, and implement monarchy reform, while Suthep Thaugsuban mobilized supporters to greet the royal motorcade, signaling potential counter-rallies.

Speculation growing over merger between Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham parties

Yesterday 16:46 Key points summarised by AI

A dinner between Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Kla Tham leader Capt. Thamanat Prompow ignited widespread speculation about a potential merger between their parties.
The meeting is viewed as a strategic message to coalition partner Pheu Thai, indicating Bhumjaithai's alternative options following Pheu Thai's chief whip's remarks about not fully defending all ministers in the upcoming no-confidence debate.
A direct merger between parties with sitting MPs is currently prohibited by Section 99 of the Constitution until the House's term expires, though MPs can switch parties through dismissal or party dissolution.
These constitutional rules aim to prevent financially strong parties from easily absorbing smaller ones, a practice that historically led to single-party dominance, as seen with Thai Rak Thai's 2005 election victory.