What chances for charter change bills in Parliament this week?

14 Sept 10:58 Key points summarised by AI

Parliament will deliberate seven constitutional amendment bills this week, aiming to address 'problematic' provisions and pave the way for a new charter, a key demand of anti-establishment protesters.
The bills propose significant changes, including establishing a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), reducing the power of military-appointed senators, and revoking coup-era executive orders, with one public-backed bill seeking to amend the entire Constitution.
Passage faces major challenges from the 250 military-appointed senators, many of whom oppose changes, especially to the CDA or chapters concerning the monarchy, making their required one-third vote a significant hurdle.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has sent mixed signals, while coalition parties offer conditional support, often seeking judicial reviews, further complicating the legislative process despite opposition parties largely backing the amendments.

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.