Palang Pracharath kicks out dissenting MPs

Paiboon Nititawan, now Palang Pracharath Party secretary general, speaks to reporters at a meeting of party executives at the party's headquarters in Bangkok on Aug 29 this year. (File photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Paiboon Nititawan, the group’s current secretary general, addresses reporters at a meeting of party executives held at the group’s office in Bangkok on August 29 this time. ( File photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

Following a disagreement between former party secretary-general Thamanat Prompow and current party leader Prawit Wongsuwon, the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) has officially expelled 20 MPs.

Paiboon Nititawan, the PPRP’s present secretary general, announced the group’s judgement on Thursday after a conference on Wednesday to fully vote to remove the 20 MPs in Thamanat’s station.

Their participation ended that morning, he said.

Gen Prawit and Thamanat didn’t attend the meeting. Gen Prawit was declared bored by Mr. Paiboon.

He said that due to technical limitations, the 20 MPs should not submit a quick application for participation in other parties.

The MPs must waited until the group has initially requested all necessary paperwork from the Election Commission, he said.

Mr. Paiboon dispelled rumors that Gen. Prawit might step over and appoint someone else to lead the party, saying he has stated his intention to continue leading the group and helping it get the next election with a higher House seat count.

Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, an MP for Chachoengsao and one of the 20 who were expelled from the PPRP, said the meeting went also.

He claimed that disagreements over social ideologies were the cause of his and the other 19 MPs ‘ expulsions, not because they engaged in unethical or disciplined behavior.

He stated that the team has about 30 days to find a new political party to visit.

Mr. Atthakorn dissuaded rumors that his organization was considering forming the Kla Dharma Party, whose head is Narumon Pinyosinwat, an agricultural minister nearer to Thamanat.

Even though Ms Narumon has indicated her eagerness to welcomed the expelled Members into her party, according to Mr. Atthakorn, more discussions will be required.

Ms. Narumon added that after the New Year’s Eve vacation, the group should be able to make its decision regarding the 20 MPs.

She argued that the 20 MPs ‘ social philosophy was in line with her party’s.

Capt. Thamanat and his team left the PPRP earlier this year, leaving them with three votes in the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government, with Thanadol Suwannaritr, a near ally of Thamanat, serving as her advisor.