11 July 2024

Former Democrat MP Dr. Warong Dejkitvigrom, a frequent critic of the Future Forward party and its leader, has officially joined the Ruam Palang Prachachart Thai party.

Dr. Warong, who shot to fame for being the whistle blower who exposed irregularities in the controversial rice pledging scheme of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government, was welcomed by party leader M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul, party founder Suthep Thaugsuban and party secretary-general Thaweesak na Takuathung this morning (Saturday) at the Pacific Club, where he signed up as a lifelong member of the party.

Explaining why he left the Democrat party, the former Phitsanuloke MP said that the political situation has changed since it was dominated by the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties and his working style was no longer compatible with the Democrat party’s style.

He pointed out that, in today’s politics, a new generation of Thais are being indoctrinated with, what he described as, the “Anti-Thai Nation” doctrine, which he finds unacceptable and intolerable, adding that he wants to resist the new political doctrine. Dr. Warong is widely believed to have been referring to the Future Forward party, without naming names.

He said that he decided to join Ruam Palang Prachachart Thai party, part of the government’s coalition, after he received an invitation from the party’s executive committee.  He says he has not demanded any position from the party.

An informed party source, however, said that Dr. Warong might be given a cabinet post, to replace Chatumongkol, who is currently labour minister.