politics: Padipat Santipada, the expelled Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, has announced he is moving to the Fair Party, in what critics have branded as a tactic to retain his deputy House speaker post.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Padipat, a Phitsanulok MP, said he will lodge his membership application with the party later today.
His defection was expected after his alleged "tactical" expulsion from the MFP. He has 30 days in which to find a new party.
Mr Padipat and the MFP are facing investigation over claims the expulsion was intended to allow the MFP, through its Fair Party ally, to keep both the deputy House speaker and opposition leader posts.
Under the law, the opposition leader could not be from the MFP, the main opposition party, if Mr Padipat remained deputy House speaker and an MFP MP.
Yesterday, Fair Party list-MP Kannavee Suebsang posted a message on social media welcoming Mr Padipat to the fold. He insisted there was no hidden agenda in Mr Padipat joining his party.
Senate blocks Upakit probe
upper house: The Senate has rejected a police request to have one of its members face investigation and criminal charges, saying he is needed to perform his legislative duties.
The Senate voted 174 in favour of rejecting the police request for Senator Upakit Pachariyangkul to be investigated and charged in connection with allegations that he was involved in drug rings and laundered ill-gotten money through an electricity supply business operating on the Thai-Myanmar border last year. Seven senators voted against rejecting the request, with 10 abstentions.
Mr Upakit earlier said he was ready to face the consequences in the justice system and protested his innocence.
In yesterday's vote, the majority of senators said a senator's immunity from criminal investigation cannot be forfeited.
Tuk-tuk drivers held over attack
PHUKET: Three tuk-tuk drivers were arrested yesterday after a Saudi Arabian tourist was assaulted outside a Phuket hotel on Sunday.
Patong police launched a probe after a photo was posted on social media showing a group of tuk-tuk drivers attacking the Saudi tourist at the Amata Hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Year Road in the Patong area on Sunday.
After examining CCTV footage in the area, police arrested three men -- Anusorn, 29, Apisit, 26, and Nusrulloh, 28, all tuk-tuk drivers in the Patong area. Their full names were not released.
Police said that at about 6.15am on Sunday, Mr Anusorn took the tourist from the mouth of Soi Saen Sabai on Rat Uthit 200 Year Road to 7Q Patong Beach Hotel. The agreed fare was 200 baht. When the tuk-tuk arrived at the hotel, the passenger said that was not where he was staying. He told Mr Anusorn to take him further to the Amata Hotel, also on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road. On arrival there, the driver demanded 400 baht, twice the previously agreed fare.
Three Indonesian trawlers seized
illegal fishing: Three Indonesian fishing boats were seized, and 40 crewmen were arrested after they were caught fishing in Thai territorial waters west of Phuket on Sunday.
R/Adm Puchong Rodnikorn, deputy commander of the 3rd Naval Area, said yesterday HTMS Klaeng was sent to investigate after a reconnaissance plane spotted three fishing boats operating west of Phuket on Saturday.
On Sunday, the navy vessel found the three trawlers -- KM Rahmat Jaya (with 12 crew), KM Ikhlasbaru (16 crew) and the Kambiastar (12 crew) -- 75.8 nautical miles west of Laem Prom Thep.
The three boats and their crews arrived under escort at Ratsada boat pier in Phuket yesterday.