Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan announced on Tuesday that she has tendered her resignation as a party-list MP.
Her resignation will see the party’s secretary general Takorn Tantasith replace her. Earlier reports mentioned that she will soon transfer the party’s leadership to deputy leader Anudith Nakornthap.
“This decision is in line with my intention that I announced on the first day of the party’s establishment, that I will be a pillar for the party and a bridge to link people from all walks of life to work for the country. I want to make the party a political institution that really belongs to the people,” she said.
Sudarat said she was first an MP in 1992 and this time was her sixth election to the House. She was appointed as a minister in the ministries of Transport, Interior, Public Health and Agriculture and Cooperatives throughout her 32 years in the politics.
She expressed her thanks to voters for their support in the general election, in which six of the party’s candidates won.
She also reconfirmed the party’s support for Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward party, to be the next prime minister.
Sudarat called for senators to adhere to democratic principles and not to go against the people’s wishes, as it would lead the country into fresh conflict.
Thai Sang Thai is part of Pita’s coalition, which commands a total of 311 House votes (excluding the Speaker of the House). He needs at least 65 votes from senators and/or non-coalition MPs to reach 376 votes, or half of the 750 members of both Houses, for the approval of his premiership.
Sudarat’s announcement comes on the same day that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared that he would quit politics.
