People’s party MP Kris Chivathammanond’s plan to defect to the Kla Tham Party has been faltered, because the party decided not to sack the MP. Instead they will ask the Election Commission (EC) to rule on whether a letter the Kris wrote to the party, expressing frustration over remaining a member, constituted his resignation.
People’s party Leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told a news conference at parliament yesterday that they had decided on the move at a meeting on Monday night.
According to the Thai election law, an MP who is expelled from their party can join a new party within 30 days and retain their parliamentary status. If, however, the MP resigns from their party, they will lose the status.
It is reported that Kris had already approached Thammanat Prompao, the de facto leader of Kla Tham party, expressing a wish to join and Thammanat agreed.
Natthaphong dismissed allegations, made by Kris, that the party had posed an obstruction to the performance of Kris’s duty and did not support development projects in the constituency Kris represents. He also denied Kris’s accusation of being discriminated against by the party and party members due to being transgender.
The People’s party leader insisted that they are open to gender diversity and Kris was among the party’s team in charge of drafting the marriage equality bill.
At this stage, he said the party regards Kris as no longer being a party member, because of Kris’s hostile attitude towards it and uneasiness about remaining with the party.
Natthaphong will lead a group of prominent party members on a visit to Chon Buri province this Sunday, to explain to the people in Constituency 6 the party’s decision regarding Kris and to reaffirm the party’s commitment to helping the people.
