Pheu Thai party core member Chaturon Chaisang led about ten former Pheu Thai MPs in a “friendly” mass defection from their well-established party to join its offshoot party, Thai Raksachart on Monday.
Among those who joined Chaturon to apply for memberships at Thai Raksachart party were Wuthipong and Thitima Chaisang, former party-list MP Veerakarn Musikapong, red-shirt core leaders Natthawut Saikua and Weng Tochirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Ms Anutma Amornvivat and Praphas Chongsa-nguan.
Chaturon told the media that he quit Pheu Thai party not because he had conflict with any other core members of the party or because of difference in ideologies or policies.
“Our country is at the turning point with the dictatorship wanting to stay on in power. Our question is how to stop the perpetuation of power? If not, Thailand may come under the NCPO’s rule for the next 10-20 years,” said Chaturon.
Describing Thai Raksachart party as the melting pot of people who are interested in politics, people with vision and who desire to play a role in politics, the former education minister said he was invited by the party leader to join Thai Raksachart and he accepted – not because he wanted to run away from his personal trap, but wanted to develop the country with new visions.
Natthawat, meanwhile, said he had always felt the affection and warmth for being with the Pheu Thai party, but decided to join Thai Raksachart because the party has several people with good and modern ideas.
A day earlier, famous golfer Thongchai Jaidee and a former beauty queen joined the party.
