Parliament adopts 2 charter bills, rejects iLaw’s version

13 Sept 11:13 Key points summarised by AI

Parliament approved two bills to initiate the drafting of a new constitution, proposed by government and opposition parties, while rejecting the popular 'people's constitution' bill from iLaw.
The adopted bills aim to establish a broad-based committee for constitutional drafting, with their primary difference lying in the proposed composition of this committee.
The iLaw bill, which garnered nearly 100,000 signatures and support from anti-government protesters, was dismissed; iLaw's director suggested parliamentarians focused on unproven foreign funding allegations instead of the bill's substance.
Anti-government protests resumed in Bangkok, with demonstrators reiterating demands for the Prime Minister's resignation, a new constitution, and monarchy reform, amidst the parliamentary proceedings.

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.