AI In-Brief

Thailand News in Brief

Thai PBS World

Thailand and the world, every day

AI can make mistakes. Please double-check.

Thai Deputy PM Wissanu says amending charter can be done within two months

13 Sept 08:46 Key points summarised by AI

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngarm announced that amending the Thai Constitution could be completed in just two months by fast-tracking existing drafts from government and opposition parties.
The process involves parliamentary deliberation beginning in November, with an aim for passage by December, followed by a mandatory national referendum.
He highlighted that creating a new Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) would be too time-consuming, making the use of current drafts the most efficient approach.
The government plans to submit a referendum bill to Parliament next week and will also consider the draft constitution proposed by the iLaw non-governmental organization in November.
Wissanu also addressed student demands, confirming the government has responded to calls for lifting the state of emergency and constitutional amendments, and clarified the parliamentary process for electing a new Prime Minister if the current one resigns.

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.