TRT Environment Minister Resigns

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Prapat resigned because he is upset for not being included in the party's list, said Suriya.

Thai Rak Thai Party Secretary-general Suriya Jungrungreangkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) has indicated that Mr. Prapat Panyachartrak (ประพัฒน์ ปัญญาชาติรักษ์) resigned from the party because he is upset that he was not included in the party’s party-list MPs.

Mr. Suriya said that Mr. Prapat’s decision to resign from the party is his personal right, adding that there are no other conflicts as Mr. Prapat has always helped the party. He suspected that Mr. Prapat decided to quit from the party because he feels upset that he is excluded from the party’s party-list MPs. He added that the decision could come from miscommunication on the position set by the party.

Commenting on recent resignations by members of the party, Mr. Suriya said that so far, not many people have submitted their resignations, adding that their reasons behind the resignations are not their disagreements with the party’s ideologies, but because they are not fielded as the party’s candidates as they wish.

However on the latest report, Mr. Prapat has insisted that his reason of resignation is not because he feels neglected from the current political situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 March 2006

[Thaising]

Resigning, at least he found his lost soul.

[Jai Dee]

Former Environment minister insisted that he did not resign from TRT for being excluded from the party-list.

Former Environment Minister Prapat Panyachartrak (ประพัฒน์ ปัญญาชาติรักษ์) insisted that he did not resign from the Thai Rak Thai party because he was upset with the party, adding that he did not participate in the rally at Sanam Luang grounds as reported by the media.

Mr. Prapat said that he decided to leave the Thai Rak Thai party because he wants to rest, adding that the decision was not made because he was upset for being excluded from the Thai Rak Thai’s part-list MPs. He said that he has no role in the party, adding that he has not gone to the Thai Rak Thai party since he was assigned to head the Farmer’s Recovery Fund since last August. However, he said that his relationships with the party members are still good.

Mr. Prapat also denied media reports that he took part in a rally at Sanamluang, saying that he only met Somana Pothirak (สมณะโพธิรักษ์) from the Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) center, as he has personal relationship with him. He said that he went to discuss dharma with him, adding that he did not join the demonstration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party Spokesman Says April 2nd Election Still Uncertain

The spokesman for the Democrat Party stated that the current political crisis may affect the nation's image if the Prime Minister does not take a course of action soon. He added that the probabiliy of the April 2nd elections taking place was uncertain due to the high potential for violence.

Mr. Ongarch Klampiboon (องอาจ คล้ามไพบูลย), spokesman for the Democrat Party, commented that the People's Democratic Front protests may be drawn out. He asks that the Prime Minister make a decision to end the protests, since he was the cause of them in the first place. The spokesman said that if the Prime Minister does not take a course of action soon, the image of the country may be tarnished. He believes that Mr. Thaksin should meet with various individuals amongst the protesters to find a solution.

Regarding the resignation of Mr. Phrapat Panyachatrak (ประพัฒน์ ปัญญาชาติรักษ์), former acting minister of agriculture, as a member of the Thai Rak Thai party, Mr. Ongarch stated that the current political situation would see many party members resigning. In addition, the Democrat spokesman is uncertain as to whether the April 2nd elections will take place as planned if the current protests are not ended.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 March 2006