Chavalit To Explain Pheu Thai Departure

[webfact]

Chavalit to explain Pheu Thai departure

By THE NATION

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will speak publicly in a few days to explain why he has decided to leave the opposition Pheu Thai Party, close aides said yesterday.

The aides also dismissed as fake a statement said to have been dictated by Chavalit - copies of which were distributed to Parliament reporters yesterday by a man named Chaiyong Rattanawan, who claimed to be Chavalit's personal secretary.

Pheu Thai MP Chavalit Vichayasut, who is an aide to Pheu Thai's former chairman Chavalit, said the statement handed out by Chaiyong was not written by his boss. He also said he had never known Chaiyong before.

"General Chavalit does not want to speak about the matter now but he will definitely explain publicly about his resignation from the Pheu Thai Party," the aide said.

Lt-General Pirach Sawamiphak, another close aide to the ex-premier, said yesterday that Chavalit had never asked Chaiyong to make the statement on his behalf. "The document is fake and we are contacting Chaiyong about the matter," he said.

Pirach said that Chavalit would call a press conference by himself in a few days, "when the dust has settled".

Chaiyong yesterday insisted the statement was produced on Chavalit's instruction. He claimed he had met Chavalit in person at a condominium, where Chavalit had dictated the statement to him. The release distributed by Chaiyong called for all groups of Thais to help maintain national security and protect the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Paijit Sriworakhan, who is close to Chavalit, admitted yesterday that Chavalit's departure had adversely affected the morale of many Pheu Thai politicians.

"It's like they have lost a commander leading them into the next election," he said, adding that he believed Chavalit would clear up the matter within a few days.

In a related development, Chingchai Mongkoltham, leader of the New Aspiration Party, co-founded and previously led by Chavalit, yesterday dismissed media reports the ex-premier would return to the inactive political party. He added however he and Chavalit still maintain good ties.

At Pheu Thai, Chavalit Vichayasut, the aide, has resigned as the party's deputy secretary-general, and former Third Army Area commander Lt-General Jiradet Kacharat has quit as a party member. It remained unclear yesterday whether their resignations had anything to do with Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's departure.

Two other party executives - secretary-general Supol Fong-ngam and Prayuth Mahagitsiri - also have left their posts, leaving only 11 on the executive board. A Pheu Thai source said yesterday the resignation by party executives was part of a strategy calling for the executive board to contain no constituency MPs.

-- The Nation 2011-04-21

[timekeeper]

enjoy your 15 minutes

say nothing

[Buchholz]

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will speak publicly in a few days to explain why

Even allowing for his advanced age, he turns 79 next month, given that he resigned on April 18 and announces 3 days later that he will explain in a few days more, one can't but wonder just how out of touch he is.

Most resignations include the rationale for doing so on the day the resignation is submitted.

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Edited April 21, 2011 by Buchholz

[yoshiwara]

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will speak publicly in a few days to explain why

Even allowing for his advanced age, he turns 79 next month, given that he resigned on April 18 and announces 3 days later that he will explain in a few days more, one can't but wonder just how out of touch he is.

Most resignations include the rationale for doing so on the day the resignation is submitted.

.

He will be giving Thaksin a few days grace to get in touch with him and make an improved offer. Let's see if Thaksin does. It could be an interesting wait.

[housepainter]

Verbatum statement made to secretary:

'They rotten abstards. No big money. No mega project. Not do for me for nothing. Ferk them. Ferk all o them. Serve country bullshit I tell them. No money big got no honey from me'.

Press statement:

' I feel I may not have the full support of my colleagues and I respect their insightful opinion. The finacial state of the country, the need to improve growth and achieve economic stability is a priority not exclusive to me. My desire is to serve my country in any capacity at any time. Perhaps I may be re-called at a future date when I can offer some guidance as required.'