A tale of two by-elections: Polls offer clues as Thailand heads into election countdown

13 Sept 11:43 Key points summarised by AI

The Democrat Party secured victories in by-elections in Songkhla and Chumphon, reclaiming seats from the ruling Palang Pracharath party and signaling potential shifts in Thailand's political landscape.
Analysts attribute Palang Pracharath's defeat to controversial campaign rhetoric by its secretary-general and internal party conflicts, particularly regarding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's influence.
While a positive sign for the Democrats, experts caution that these wins, rooted in traditional strongholds and 'family politics,' do not guarantee a widespread resurgence for the party in the upcoming general election.
The opposition Move Forward party experienced a significant drop in votes, a result explained by analysts as typical for by-elections where voter motivations differ from general elections.
The by-election outcomes offer strategic insights for all parties, highlighting that internal conflicts within Palang Pracharath present a greater challenge to government stability than inter-coalition rivalries.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.