Thai Civilised Party to quit coalition

The one-MP Thai Civilised Party has confirmed it will withdraw from the coalition but still be supportive of the government’s good policies while disapproving of any policies deemed bad.

Party leader Mongkholkit Suksintharanont claimed there were nine other parties considering leaving the coalition. A press conference had been scheduled for 2.30pm today.

He was still insistent on maintaining respect towards Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, adding: “But it is now too late for me to reverse my decision despite an offer for a position as a political appointee.”

Mongkholkit claimed the offer came to his former wife in exchange for his party remaining in the coalition, but she turned it down.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanas Phromphao said on Monday that if Mongkholkit insisted on leaving the coalition despite efforts by coalition leader Palang Pracharath Party to convince him not to, he had no choice but to let Mongkholkit go.

Thammanas, a key person in handling internal deals among coalition partners, said the Thai Civilised Party’s stance on staying or leaving would be formal after the press conference today.