Thai PBS World Daily is here to provide you with a daily news roundup of the top stories in Thailand. Here’s what you need to know for today.

Numerous schools in and around Bangkok closed Wednesday due to flooding

A number of schools and universities in Bangkok and its suburbs were closed today, due to heavy flooding in many areas of the capital following heavy rain overnight. Many bus commuters were left stranded late last night, due to a shortage of public transport, including buses and taxis, which were stuck in gridlocked traffic due to the flooding.

Suspended Thai PM insists his term in office has not yet expired

Suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted that his 8-year term in office did not expire on August 24th, because it should be counted from when the 2017 Constitution came into force, on April 6th of that year. In what is believed to be his written statement to the Constitutional Court, which was leaked today, he claims that his first term, under the Interim 2014 Constitution, expired along with the replacement of the interim charter by the 2017 Constitution.

Former DPM Somkid appointed chairman of Sarng Anakot party

Former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has been appointed chairman of the Sarng Anakot Thai Party. Dr. Somkid will also join the meeting tomorrow, which will be a general assembly of the party’s executive committee and about 300 potential candidates from across the country, to prepare for the next general election.

BMA ordered to pay to BTS the amounts outstanding for Green Line extensions

Thailand’s Central Administrative Court issued a ruling today, ordering the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and its investment arm, Krungthep Thanakom, to pay Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company a total of 11.8 billion baht, for the first and second extensions to the Green Line, within 180 days. A representative of Krungthep Thanakom said that the company will appeal against the court’s ruling.

SRT starts trial run of BKK-Chachoengsao train service, using refurbished Japanese rolling stock

The State Railway of Thailand has launched a trial run of used train carriages, donated by Japan and refurbished by the SRT, on the Bangkok-Chachoengsao route, before full operation is expected to begin at the end of this year.