Experts offer several paths out of political crisis in Thailand

14 Sept 02:18 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand faces a deepening political crisis with student-led protesters demanding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s resignation, a democratic Constitution, and monarchy reform, while the government resists these calls.
Experts propose solutions including a national referendum to empower citizens to resolve the dispute, ensuring public acceptance of outcomes, and informal talks mediated by mutually acceptable figures.
Recommendations for PM Prayut include 'switching off' the Senate’s power to elect the prime minister, dissolving the House, or gracefully stepping down once a new constitution is established to pave the way for a new leader.
Academics urge the government to avoid violence against protesters, release arrested leaders, and listen to demands, while also suggesting protesters avoid provocative actions; some also advocate reverting monarchy-related laws to those under King Rama IX to ease conflict.

Suchada: Meet the reluctant star of Thailand’s cryptic crypto drama

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai MP Suchada Zhang Thaensap faces intense scrutiny over her husband’s substantial 1.84 billion baht wealth, with opposition lawmakers alleging connections to international scam networks.
A significant portion of her husband, Taiyang Zhang's, declared assets includes a 1.44 billion baht loan to the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which still owes him 1.34 billion baht.
Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome accused Suchada's husband of links to online scam networks and gambling sites, prompting Suchada to vehemently deny the claims, demand evidence, and file a defamation complaint.
Taiyang Zhang's background includes co-founding Ren Protocol, later sold to Alameda Research (linked to the FTX collapse), and some of his former associates have been convicted in crypto company failures.
Suchada, a former actress and first-time MP, maintains her husband's innocence, while her party leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations, deeming it a private matter.