Thammanat’s clique of 11 MPs set to return to Prawit’s party

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

A CLIQUE OF 11 MPs headed by Thammanat Prompao will almost certainly return to the ruling Palang Pracharath Party later this month, said a coalition MP today (Jan.17).

Palang Pracharath MP Boonsing Warinrak confirmed Thammanat and the 10 other MPs under his command have planned to leave the little-known Thai Economic Party for the Palang Pracharath from which they had departed last year.

Thammanat and his men are more or less expected to get re-elected as MPs in northern and upper central constituencies among others in the next general election.

Thammanat who used to perform as secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath headed by Prawit Wongsuwan will not seek any executive position in the largest coalition partner, Boonsing said.

Early last year, the MP of Payao had led an exodus of 21 MPs including himself from the Palang Pracharath due to an “uncompromisable conflict” between his clique and others within Prawit’s camp.

In 2021, Thammanat was deposed as member of cabinet by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha shortly after a marathon censure debate, given allegations that he had hatched a hush-hush plot for certain coalition MPs to abstain from casting a vote of confidence for the premier.

The exodus of those MPs from Prawit’s camp was more less viewed as a terminal aftermath of the surprise ouster of Thammanat from the Prayut cabinet.

Though Palang Pracharath might probably fail to get the most MPs in the general election, they have already looked to play a major role in the setting up of a coalition government again since they once did so following the 2019 general election, Boonsing said.

Prawit who concurrently acts as deputy prime minister has planned to contest the general election as partisan contender for head of a post-election government.

CAPTION:

Top: MP Thammanat Prompao offering a garland to Palang Pracharath Party leader-cum-Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan during his trip to Lampang yesterday, Jan. 16, 2023. Photo: Matichon

Front Page: Thammanat Prompao, left, and Prawit Wongsuwan, right. Photo: Thai Rath

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