Former Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who joined the ruling Palang Pracharath Party just 22 days ago, has quit.

Informed political sources said that Mingkwan has tendered his resignation as a member of the ruling coalition party to the Election Commission. Details of the resignation letter or the reasons behind his decision are not currently available.

Mingkwan quit as leader of the New Economic Party in June this year to join the Thai Opportunity Party, rebranded from the Thai Forest Conservation Party, as its leader. He then quit the party in early December to join Palang Pracharath, reportedly to head the party’s economic team.

On December 6^th, when he was presented to the media by Palang Pracharath Party Leader General Prawit Wongsuwan and other party executives, Mingkwan dropped a bombshell by saying that he expected to be nominated as one of the party’s three candidates for the premiership.

His unexpected announcement caught several party heavyweights, including General Prawit, off guard, with some expressing objections, claiming that a candidate for the premiership must be approved by the party.

On December 23^rd, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his decision to join the United Thai Nation Party, the Palang Pracharath Party announced its decision to nominate General Prawit as its sole candidate for prime minister.