Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has submitted his resignation as a member of the House budget scrutiny committee effective tomorrow, claiming his presence in the committee is not welcome.

The firebrand politician said today that he decided to quit on November 20^th when the Constitutional Court disqualified him as an MP for holding media shares in family-run V Luck Media Company when he registered his election candidacy.

He said that he had not told anyone about his decision until today, adding that he did not have any conflict with other committee members and that party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul will take his place.

After his resignation, Thanathorn said he will devote himself to working “shoulder to shoulder” with the people on issues such as conscription revocation, labour protection rights and constitutional amendments.

Reacting to Thanathorn’s remark, that he was not welcome on the committee, Democrat deputy leader Nipit Intharasombat wrote on Facebook saying “You (Thanathorn) can deceive the people, but not me,” as he recalled that, when the Future Forward nominated Thanathorn, there was fierce debate over whether he could be a member because he was banned from performing duties as an MP.

Nipit said the Future Forward party and Thanathorn responded that there is no rule prohibiting an outsider from sitting on the committee and that he had defended Thanathorn.

“Now he (Thanathorn) claims that someone didn’t want him in parliament and he has decided to quit to work with the people.” said the Democrat deputy leader.

He then accused Thanathorn of being irresponsible, noting that the job of a member of the House budget scrutiny committee is tough and demands patience, adding that quitting the job is an irresponsible act.