Thai protest leader Anont remanded in custody after Criminal Court denies him bail

14 Sept 12:32 Key points summarised by AI

Thai protest leader Anont Nampa was remanded in custody after Bangkok's Criminal Court denied his bail application, citing fears he might rejoin protests and cause public unrest.
Anont faces multiple charges, including sedition, illegal assembly, and violating the Diseases Control Act, related to protests on September 19th and 20th, plus damaging an archaeological site.
He was immediately re-arrested and escorted back to Bangkok by Chana Songkhram police after being granted bail by the Appeals Court in Chiang Mai for a separate case.
Anont's lawyer plans to appeal the Criminal Court's seven-day remand order to the Appeals Court.

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.