National security is now on the election agenda for political parties at a time when public trust in them has nosedived v The PP backing Bhumjaithai’s bid to form a new government does not bode well for Pheu Thai, observers say.

RECAP: Asian markets mostly gained on Friday after an intense sell-off of Chinese equities eased, amid reports the country’s financial regulators could intervene to slow the dumping. A Wall Street stock rally also lifted sentiment.