Opposition pledges to support all 7 draft constitutional amendments

14 Sept 09:02 Key points summarised by AI

Thai opposition parties commit to supporting all seven constitutional amendment drafts, including the iLaw NGO's proposal backed by over 100,000 signatories.
Government parties are expected to reject the iLaw draft due to its aim to amend the entire Constitution, including chapters on the Monarchy and Thai sovereignty, but will endorse the other six drafts.
About 40 senators are seeking a Constitutional Court ruling on three drafts, a move the opposition labels as a delay tactic designed to undermine Parliament's power to amend the constitution.
The government and opposition's drafts specifically seek to amend Section 256 to establish a Constitution Drafting Assembly, ensuring Chapters 1 and 2 (Monarchy and sovereignty) remain untouched.

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.