Cholnan Srikaew quit as leader of the Pheu Thai party today (Wednesday), with immediate effect, to keep his pre-election promise to resign if Pheu Thai were to partner with Palang Pracharath, United Thai Nation or both in the formation of the government.
Chousak Sirinil, one of the deputy leaders, is now acting party leader, until a general meeting is held in the next 60 days to choose a new leader and executive committee.
Speaking at a press conference today, Cholnan said that, since the party has achieved its goal of forming a coalition government of 11 parties, it was the right time for him to quit, as he had pledged to do during a debate on April 28th.
He said that he has no regrets, nor does he harbour any grudges for having to quit, claiming that he had done his job to the best of his ability since he was appointed the party leader on October 18th, 2011.
Cholnan said that his resignation had nothing to do with his cabinet post or his status as a party-list MP. He was tipped to become public health minister, to succeed Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai party.
At the same press conference, Phumtham Wechayachai, one of the deputy leaders, admitted that the formation of the government was one of the toughest challenges encountered by the party because of the Constitution, but the party has done its best so a government could be formed.
