Thai Civilised Party leader pulling out of coalition due to Prayut’s ‘intolerable’ actions
In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, Thai Civilised Party leader Mongkolkit Suksintharanon said he was pulling out of the coalition because he could not tolerate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s moves to incite conflicts and for using the monarchy to hang on to power.
In the post, he said the November 17 clash between pro-democracy protesters and yellow-shirt royalists while the police looked on proved that the government was using double standards.
He also accused the government of coming up with policies that help big businesses exploit the people, such as the law that allows the establishment of agricultural zones, adding that none of its actions have helped resolve the country’s economic problems.
“I cannot tolerate General Prayut as prime minister or support his ‘lawfare’ using Article 112 [lese majeste law] to crack down on people. He hasn’t even tried to negotiate with the protesters, and instead has been using senators to protect himself and float above the problems,” Mongkolkit said.
He said Prayut should step down so the political unrest can come to an end and Thailand can have a new premier who will listen to the people’s demand to amend the charter.
Mongkolkit said he will continue as an independent opposition MP, adding that he was committed to his party’s policies.