Bangkok protest location changed from Crown Property Bureau to SCB HQ

13 Sept 11:35 Key points summarised by AI

Protest leaders announced a last-minute change for today's 3 pm demonstration, moving the location from the Crown Property Bureau to the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) head office, with a presence maintained at Democracy Monument for unaware participants.
The Free Youth Movement released a video criticizing the 'failed Thai state' as ruled by capitalists, military, and feudalists, while SCB simultaneously announced the closure of its head office, a bank historically established by the Royal Treasury.

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.