Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Thailand’s ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP), Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, said today (Tuesday) the group of 21 sacked MPS led by former party secretary-general Thammanat Prompao are still loyal to the government and that there will be no review of the expulsion order.

Although the group will have to join a new party, as legally required to maintain their parliamentary status, whether it will be the Thai Economic party or not, he maintained that their loyalty is still with the coalition government, adding that there will be sufficient support in parliament to ensure the passage of important bills.

Regarding the petition by one of the sacked MPs, Somsak Phankasem of Nakhon Ratchasima, for a review of his expulsion, claiming that he had nothing to do with the group’s demands last week, Gen. Prawit said that the case was over and will not be revised.

On the question of the collapse of several House meetings in recent weeks, the deputy prime minister said the problem stemmed from the fact that some MPs might have fallen ill or were in quarantine, resulting in the lack of a quorum.

Nevertheless, he said that there is no need to remind MPs to attend parliamentary meetings, noting that each of them should know their duty and responsibility.