BANGKOK, July 9 (TNA) – Four co-founders of the ruling
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) have announced their resignations as party
members following a power struggle within the party.
The resignations of the four, particularly former party
leader Uttama Savayanaya, have long been speculated after party’s executive
committee members resigned in an apparent move to remove them.
Uttama, who is currently the Finance Minister, told
reporters in a press conference on Thursday that his role in the PPRP ended but
his ministerial duty remained.
Minister of Energy Sonthirat Sonthijirawongse, Minister of
Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Suvit Maesincee and deputy
secretary to prime minister Kobsak Pootrakul, were also present at the press
conference. They were technocrats who
founded PPRP prior to the election in order to support Prayut.
They all rejected speculation that they would form another
political party but rather focus on the daunting tasks facing the government.
Commenting on the possibility that they might be sacked from
ministerial posts, Sonthirat said the power to reshuffle the Cabinet minister
belonged to Prime Minister Prayut. (TNA)
