Controversial Thai political figure Thammanat Prompao, who was dismissed from the post of deputy agriculture minister last Wednesday, will stay on in his role as the ruling Palang Pracharat Party’s (PPRP) secretary-general, at least until the next election, even following an apparent conflict with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
PPRP deputy leader Somsak Thepsuthin revealed the decision today (Wednesday), after a party meeting, also telling the press that the PPRP will not be undergoing internal restructuring any time soon.
Somsak said the party leader, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, encouraged the party to forge unity and harmony at the meeting today.
Another deputy leader of the party, Wirat Rattanaseth, similarly denied that there is any change to the party’s executive structure, while also stating that Gen. Prawit will continue to lead the party.
“There will be no more camps or factions among us. There is only one camp, (Prawit)’s camp,” Wirat told the media.
Capt. Thammanat, meanwhile, appeared relaxed as he walked Gen. Prawit to his car after the meeting today. Asked by the media if he was more content, the Phayao MP said, “I already am. I have been for a long time.”
Reportedly, there had been an attempt, from Thammanat’s side, to challenge Gen. Prayut’s power by voting against him in the no confidence motion early this month, but it failed. Thammanat, however, denied the allegation.
Formed in 2018, one year before the 2019 general elections, the PPRP was founded with several factions, resulting in frequent internal conflicts. In July 2020, a group of cabinet members, belonging to the “Four Boys” faction, resigned en masse following a party shakeup.
