House Speaker tells PM all parties agree to a special parliamentary session

13 Sept 13:39 Key points summarised by AI

House Speaker Chuan Leekpai confirmed cross-party consensus to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for an extraordinary parliamentary session, aiming to peacefully resolve Thailand's current political conflict through a general debate.
The opposition Pheu Thai Party pressed for the Prime Minister's immediate resignation and the lifting of the state of emergency, simultaneously mobilizing its MPs to provide bail assistance for detained protesters.

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.