Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a politician for over 30 years, has resigned as leader of the Thai Sang Thai party.
She plans to focus on civil society efforts, tackling corruption in the bureaucracy, empowering citizens to remove corrupt politicians, and addressing bias in independent organizations.
In her Facebook post yesterday, she admitted that her party could barely do anything to effect change in Thai society, because it has won only two seats in the House of Representatives.
As such, she said she decided to quit as party leader, adding that the party will carry on with its mission to fight for the “little people” and open its doors to embrace the younger generation to take part in “clean politics.”
Sudarat said that, from now on, she will focus on civil society work, such as campaigning for amendments to the Constitution, to empower the people in dealing with corruption in public services.
She cited the poor management of the February 8th general election by the Election Commission, which has raised a big question among the public about the commission’s transparency.
“Yet, the people cannot do anything, except just watch helplessly,” she said.
Sudarat first entered politics when she joined the now defunct Palang Dharma party, led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a former governor of Bangkok well-known for his honesty, integrity and simple lifestyle.
She later joined the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party, led by jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and held four ministerial portfolios.
Throughout her 33 years in politics, she has said that she believes in the notion of politics being voluntary job, not a means by which to enrich oneself.
