Former Democrat PM for Bangkok, Attawit Suwanpakdee, has quit the Democrat party, effective today, to join another former Democrat MP, Korn Chatikavanij, in forming a new political party.
Atthawit, who was actively involved in the People’s Democratic Reform Committee protests against the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra five years ago, said on Facebook today that he wanted to see a new model of politics in Thailand which can adapt to global changes and drive the country toward a new economic structure.
The young ex-MP said that the new party will think out of the box and creatively regarding national administration and invite people of different occupations to the new party to drive the country forward and to change the face of Thailand.
Korn said Wednesday that he wished to provide Thai people with a political alternative.
An informed source said that the new party might be named ‘Khabkluen Thai’ (Thailand Forward).
Former Democrat party leader and House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said today he has tried to persuade Democrat members, who informed him of their wish to leave the party, to change their mind, admitting that he cannot stop them if they really want to quit.
He said that he had tried to provide moral support to all the Democrats and asked them to be patient if don’t get posts they want in the government or have had their roles limited.
Before the resignations of Korn and Atthawit, two key party members, Dr. Warong Detkitvigrom, former MP for Phitsanuloke, and Phiraphan Saleeratchappark quit the party.
Party leader Jurin has downplayed Korn’s resignation, but Democrat MP Sathit Wongnongtoei has argued that the departure of Korn, former finance minister and the chief of the party’s economic team, is unusual.
