Article 272: The unmovable constitutional rock that wrecked Pita’s PM bid

13 Sept 11:33 Key points summarised by AI

Article 272 of Thailand's Constitution empowers the Senate to jointly elect the Prime Minister with the House of Representatives, requiring a majority from both chambers.
This clause directly caused Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat's failed PM bid, as he secured only 13 of the 65 required Senate votes, despite his party's electoral success.
Amending Article 272 is exceptionally challenging, demanding support from a supermajority across Parliament, including at least one-third of all 250 senators, making it an 'unmovable' obstacle.
Six previous attempts to amend or remove Article 272 over the past three years have all failed due to insufficient parliamentary, and crucially, Senate support, highlighting its entrenched nature.

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.