Thai Sang Thai party-list MP Thakorn Tansathit has quit as the party’s secretary-general after three MPs defied the Opposition whip by supporting the government’s budget bill.
In his letter, addressed to party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thakorn said that, before the vote last night, he informed five MPs of the Opposition resolution to vote against the budget bill.
Three of those MPs defied the resolution and, as such, he decided to resign as party secretary-general to accept responsibility. The trio are Supaporn Salabsri, Rang Thuraphol and Adisak Kaewmungkhunsap.
In her X post, Sudarat offered a public apology for the conduct of the three rebel MPs, saying that the party’s ethics committee will conduct an investigation.
After a three-day debate, the House of Representatives passed the first reading of the budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year last night by 311:177 votes, with four abstentions.
137 Pheu Thai MPs voted in support of the budget with the exception of Suchart Tancharoen, Adisorn Piengket and Gen Phaisal Wattanawongsiri, who did not cast ballots. Pichet Chuamuangphan, the deputy House speaker, abstained.
71 Bhumjaithai MPs voted in unison in support of the bill. Though General Prawit Wongsuwan and Wanpen Promphat were absent, the other 38 Palang Pracharath MPs voted for the bill.
All 36 MPs of the United Thai Nation party voted for the bill, while eight MPs from Chart Thai Pattana voted for the bill. Prapat Pothasuthon abstained. Eight Prachachat MPs voted for the bill, while Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House speaker, abstained. Three Chart Pattana Kla MPs voted in support of the bill.
146 opposition Move Forward MPs voted against. Thipa Paweenasathien did not vote. 23 Democrats voted against the bill. Chatri Promma did not vote.
