Balance of power in Bangkok shifts to liberals as national poll looms

23 Sept 01:38 Key points summarised by AI

Liberal parties, spearheaded by Pheu Thai and Move Forward, secured a dominant majority in the recent Bangkok Council elections, capturing 36 out of 50 seats and signaling a significant political shift.
Conservative parties, including the Democrat and Palang Pracharath parties, experienced a substantial decline in their vote share compared to the 2019 general election, even losing ground in traditional strongholds.
The Bangkok election results are widely seen as a strong indicator for the upcoming national poll, suggesting a weakening of conservative influence and the potential for a closely contested general election.
Factors contributing to the liberal surge include the Move Forward Party's community engagement, Pheu Thai's revitalized image, and the strong appeal of a prime ministerial candidate, which significantly impacted voter turnout.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.