Sacked Pheu Thai MP for Pathum Thani province, Pornpimon Thammasarn, and a former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani province, Sombat Rattano, officially applied to join the Bhumjaithai party, the second biggest party in the government coalition, today (Tuesday).
The two were welcomed by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, and Supachai Jaismut, the party’s registrar.
Pornpimon told the media today that she had decided to join the party a while ago, because she has not participated in the political activities of the Pheu Thai party for quite some time.
She also said that she feels more comfortable being “in a smaller house which is warm” rather than a big house which is full of conflicts, adding that every party shares the common policy of working for the good of the people, but the difference between parties is the ability to deliver on such a policy.
Pornpimon and her colleague Sarunvuth Sarunkate, an MP for Uttaradit province, were sacked from the Pheu Thai party on October 12th for defying the party whip requiring them to vote against Prime Minister Prayut and five other ministers after the censure debate in early September.
Sarunvuth voted to abstain, while Pornpimon and a number of other Pheu Thai MPs did not cast their votes.
Any MPs being dismissed from their party have no more than 30 days to find a new party, otherwise their MP status will be revoked.
Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service