Court grants bail to 14 “WeVo” guards

2 Oct 06:32 Key points summarised by AI

The Dusit District Court granted 20,000 baht bail each to 14 We Volunteer (WeVo) guards, including leader Piyarath “Toto” Chongthep, after about six hours of deliberation.
The guards were arrested on December 31st for staging rallies at Sanam Luang and Kok Wua intersection, facing charges for breaching emergency decrees, illegal assembly, and resisting police, despite claiming to hold a discount shrimp sale.

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.