Cabinet endorses abortion bill allowing termination up to 12 weeks of pregnancy

13 Sept 09:50 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai cabinet approved amendments to the abortion law, legalizing termination for pregnancies up to 12 weeks, in line with a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed previous restrictions unconstitutional.
The new legislation reduces penalties for women who have abortions after 12 weeks (from three years to six months imprisonment, and from 60,000 to 10,000 baht fine) and expands the grounds for legal abortion to include risks to mental or physical health.
Medical professionals will determine the 12-week period, and the amended bill is scheduled to become enforceable by February 12th next year.

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.