FM Parnpree announces resignation in apparent protest at removal as deputy PM
Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Sunday announced his resignation as foreign minister and from all assignments by the prime minister after he learned that he had been removed from the concurrent post of deputy prime minister.
Parnpree sent his resignation letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shortly after the Cabinet reshuffle list was published in the Royal Gazette.
He informed Srettha in the letter that he wanted to resign as the foreign minister and from any other assignment from April to pave the way for another person to take his post.
Parnpree had earlier held the dual posts of deputy prime minister and foreign minister. The announced Cabinet reshuffle stated that he was removed as deputy prime minister.
He has also been assigned to head several special government committees by Srettha. For example, on April 23, Parnpree was appointed to head a committee in charge of management of the Myanmar unrest situation.
In his resignation notice, Parnpree said he believed his removal as deputy prime minister was not due to a lack of achievements on his part.
“I believe the removal of me as deputy prime minister had nothing to do with a lack of achievements because I have been devoting myself to foreign and international economic affairs,” Parnpree stated.
“I have been working with perceived honesty and integrity. More foreign investors have come to invest in Thailand.”
He said he had responded well to government policy as the deputy prime minister in charge of foreign affairs by acting as proactive economic envoy until Thailand regained in international perception and gained more allies, and managed to draw more foreign investors.
Parnpree added that he has been attaching importance to the well-being of Thais living abroad.
He said he himself negotiated to secure the release of 23 Thai workers captured by Hamas militants, and he has also managed for repatriation of 8,000 Thai workers from Israel and 1,000 more Thais from Laukkaing in Myanmar.
Parnpree also said in the resignation letter that he was behind the success in negotiation for visa exemptions with foreign countries and behind the restoration of ties with other ASEAN nations, the European Union, India, the United States and China.
“In conclusion, I hope this Cabinet reshuffle will help improve the country’s administration to have more efficiency and transparency while protecting the national interest,” Parnpree said.
“I would like to thank the prime minister for giving me a chance to work with this government for a while.”
