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Thai author imprisoned for four years and 11 months on lèse majesté charge

21 Sept 06:43 Key points summarised by AI

Thai author Siraphob Korn-arut was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for violating the country’s lèse majesté law and the Computer Crimes Act.
The conviction stems from anti-monarchy poems, commentary, and cartoons he posted online between 2009 and 2014 under the pen name “Rungsira.”
Siraphob plans to appeal the verdict, asserting the lèse majesté law is exploited as a political tool against opponents of military coups.

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.