A former MP of the Democrat Party representing the eastern province of Chon Buri has tendered his resignation from the party in what is seen as the start of a wave of defections from the country’s oldest political party.
An informed source in the party said Soravuth Nuengchamnong assigned a representative to submit his resignation letter to the director of the Democrat party this afternoon. A number of other former MPs of the Democrat in some of the eastern provinces are reportedly planning to follow suit.
In the letter, Soravuth thanked the party for its support throughout the years he was with it but gave no indication which party he would join. However, it was speculated that he would join the Palang Pracharath, a newly-formed political which has openly declared support for Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to return to power after the election.
The Democrat Party is believed to be a major target of poaching by the pro-military party. Its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted in an interview with Thai PBS last week that a number of its former MPs were leaving for other parties but described it as something common during election season.
Besides Palang Pracharath, another political group that has been actively wooing former MPs is Sam Mitr group which is also known to have the support of the military.
