Somsak Phankasem, of Nakhon Ratchasima, one of the group of MPs loyal to former Palang Pracharat secretary-general Thammanat Prompao expelled from the ruling party on Thursday, has petitioned party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan seeking a review the decision, claiming that he had nothing to do with the group.
In his letter to General Prawit, who is also a deputy prime minister, Somsak said he was not involved in the Thammanat group’s demand for a total revamp of the party and knew nothing about it.
The party would usually have to hold a meeting of the executive committee to consider Somsak’s petition, but no such meeting has been scheduled yet.
On Thursday, Paiboon Nititawan, the party’s deputy leader, told the media that Thammanat’s group had made a demand that was unacceptable to the party, noting that the party would have sustained serious damage if it had acquiesced to the demand.
The party has 15 days, from its decision to expel the 21 MPs, to notify the Election Commission. The sacked MPs themselves have 30 days to join a new party, otherwise they will lose their parliamentary status.
