Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn said on Saturday that a weaker baht would be beneficial for the economy, and that there was room to cut interest rates if needed to support growth.

Persistent rain has caused severe flooding in Hat Yai district of the southern border province of Songkhla on Saturday.

Two Bangkok noodle vendors have been indicted on a royal defamation charge for putting up signs at their shop calling for the repeal of the lese-majeste law and the release of political prisoners.

The People’s Party (PP) says that if Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolves parliament on Dec 12 — the day the parliamentary session opens — in response to a no-confidence motion, it would be akin to a contractor abandoning a project to evade scrutiny.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed tough action against all officials involved in awarding special privileges to Chinese inmates, after a raid at Bangkok Remand Prison uncovered prohibited items and allegations that women were being smuggled into restricted areas.

Neither trade negotiations with the United States nor the government’s economic agenda will be disrupted even if parliament is dissolved, says Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, expressing confidence that key policies will stay on track.