Pheu Thai’s party-list MP Adisorn Piengkes said today (Monday) he and other MPs will propose an urgent motion to the House of Representatives, questioning the suitability of Padipat Suntiphada to remain as deputy House speaker.

The veteran MP, who is also the government’s chief whip,said that he and Chousak Sirinil, another party-list MP and legal advisor to the Pheu Thai party, have agreed that the “expulsion” of Padipat from the Move Forward party last week was not in accordance the party’s regulations.

The party’s regulations clearly state that a member can only be expelled if they have committed a gross disciplinary or ethical violation or committed a serious wrongdoing.

Adisorn claimed, however, that the Move Forward party’s “expulsion” of Padipat was just a charade, unlike the previous sacking of several other party members who were accused of betraying the party.

Since Padipat has already been “sacked” by the party, he said he and his colleagues find it difficult to accept Padipat as the deputy House speaker.

Adisorn insists that he has no personal grudge against Padipat,nor does his party want to take over the post.

According to the Constitution, the Move Forward party can claim the opposition leader’s post for its leader, Chaithawat Tulathon, but it would have to cede the post of deputy House speaker, currently held by Padipat.

Padipat will have to apply for membership of a new party, likely to be Fair party, within 30 days of his expulsion, in order to retain his parliamentary status and the deputy House speaker’s post.