PM: vaccine funding diverted from MOPH to Central Fund for urgent use

14 Sept 07:51 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha diverted COVID-19 vaccine funding from the Public Health Ministry (MOPH) to the Central Fund, which he directly supervises, to enable urgent and flexible disbursement.
The PM explained this move during a budget debate, stating it was necessary due to the uncertain duration of the pandemic and the evolving financial requirements for vaccine procurement and management.
The decision sparked criticism from some Bhumjaithai Party MPs, who questioned the budget cuts to the MOPH and suggested their party leader consider withdrawing from the governing coalition.
Despite the political tensions, PM Prayut assured that funds from the Central Fund are subject to strict examination and controls, and affirmed his regular contact and good relationship with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Suchada: Meet the reluctant star of Thailand’s cryptic crypto drama

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai MP Suchada Zhang Thaensap faces intense scrutiny over her husband’s substantial 1.84 billion baht wealth, with opposition lawmakers alleging connections to international scam networks.
A significant portion of her husband, Taiyang Zhang's, declared assets includes a 1.44 billion baht loan to the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which still owes him 1.34 billion baht.
Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome accused Suchada's husband of links to online scam networks and gambling sites, prompting Suchada to vehemently deny the claims, demand evidence, and file a defamation complaint.
Taiyang Zhang's background includes co-founding Ren Protocol, later sold to Alameda Research (linked to the FTX collapse), and some of his former associates have been convicted in crypto company failures.
Suchada, a former actress and first-time MP, maintains her husband's innocence, while her party leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations, deeming it a private matter.