Yellow ducks steal the show at Khana Ratsadon’s protest at SCB head office

13 Sept 12:16 Key points summarised by AI

Inflatable yellow ducks and merchandise became the unexpected mascot of the Khana Ratsadon protest at SCB head office, symbolizing the anti-establishment movement and selling out quickly.
Scholar Sulak Srivaraksa made a surprise appearance, denouncing PM Prayut for invoking the lèse majesté law (Section 112), asserting it undermines the monarchy and contradicts royal wishes, demanding the prime minister's removal.
Organizers abruptly relocated the protest from the Crown Property Bureau to SCB to avoid royalist confrontation, frustrating police who had prepared extensive blockades, leading to severe traffic disruption and a public apology from authorities.
Four party-list MPs from the Kao Klai party attended the protest as observers, highlighting the political attention on the event.

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.