Govt apologises for delaying Bt20 Bangkok-wide train fares until November

11 Sept 04:00 Key points summarised by AI

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit apologized for delaying the 20-baht single ticket system for Bangkok's mass transit, pushing its implementation from October 1st to November 15th.
The delay stems from critical bills on joint ticket management and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand not yet passing their final readings in the House of Representatives.
A dedicated fund is required to compensate train operators, but the Council of State rejected using the Central Fund, deeming it non-urgent, thereby legally preventing the system's full launch without a proper funding source.
Despite the broader delay, the 20-baht flat fare remains active for the Purple and Red Lines, and Thai nationals can now register for the system via the 'Thang Rath' platform.

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.