Constituency 9 voters: Don’t count on us to be “accountable”

14 Sept 02:19 Key points summarised by AI

The Bangkok Constituency 9 by-election showcased unpredictable voter behavior, with results heavily influenced by old loyalties and turnout, rather than clear accountability.
The ruling Palang Pracharath Party suffered a crushing third successive defeat, raising questions about its declining popularity and its linkage to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Pheu Thai Party secured a victory, but with fewer votes than in 2019, indicating a cautious win amidst a significantly lower voter turnout, suggesting widespread voter disillusionment.
Newer parties like Kla and Thai Pakdee demonstrated encouraging performances, signaling potential shifts and increased competition in the upcoming general election.

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.