100 or 500: How seat calculation method could decide Thai election winner

13 Sept 13:46 Key points summarised by AI

Parliament approved a change to calculate party-list MP seats by dividing total votes by 500 instead of 100, a move expected to significantly impact the next general election.
The new '500' formula benefits smaller parties by drastically reducing the votes needed to win a seat (e.g., 70,000 votes), while simultaneously limiting the chances of large parties, like Pheu Thai, achieving a landslide victory.
Analysts suggest the ruling coalition likely pushed for this change to prevent a dominant win by the opposition Pheu Thai party and to bolster smaller, potential allied parties in a future government.
Pheu Thai plans to challenge the revised election bill in the Constitutional Court, arguing it is unconstitutional as it deviates from the charter's principle of proportional allocation for party-list seats.
The alteration is predicted to create a fragmented political landscape post-election, with a government likely composed of numerous small and medium-sized parties, potentially leading to instability and increased political bargaining.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.