The Latest Breaking News from Sutin Klungsang

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang denies he intends to appoint Payap Shinawatra, younger brother of Thaksin Shinawatra, and his son, Porpong Shinawatra, as a chief adviser and personal secretary.

Academics and politicians believe the battle for the House speaker position between the Pheu Thai Party and the Move Forward Party (MFP) will undermine unity among the eight parties seeking to form a coalition government.

The Pheu Thai Party has dismissed media speculation that it plans to enter talks with Bhumjaithai, the third biggest party, to try and form a coalition government together.

The party-list system, which is designed to allow professionals from various fields to become MPs, has been exploited by parties to return favours to loyal supporters or financiers, academics say.

A rumoured "secret deal" between Pheu Thai and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has been thrust into the limelight again as the wife of a close friend of Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon has been named candidate No.22 on Pheu Thai's party list.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's chances of returning to power after the upcoming general election have improved as his political opponents face significant challenges, according to political experts.

Trairong Suwannakhiri, the chief adviser of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, has found himself in hot water as he is accused of making an improper reference to the monarchy during an election campaign speech last Saturday.

Senator Wanchai Sornsiri's negative remarks about Paetongtarn "Ung-Ing" Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party -- who is expected to be nominated as the party's prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming election -- have drawn criticism from his fellow senators, while the main opposition party has shrugged off his opinions.

The opposition has outlined a dozen issues to be launched in this week's general debate aimed not at bringing down the government straight away but running it into disrepute for the next polls three months down the road.