30-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Dr Cholnan Srikaew has fulfilled his promise to resign as the leader of the Pheu Thai Party due to its decision to form a government with military-affiliated parties.
At a news conference held at the Pheu Thai headquarters on Wednesday evening, the veteran politician from Nan stated that he had made a commitment to resign during the campaign for the May 14 election if his party entered into a coalition with the Palang Pracharath Party.
Palang Pracharath is led by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, an outgoing deputy prime minister and a close ally of former Premier Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, with Gen Prawit’s brother expected to hold a seat in the new cabinet.
Dr Cholnan, a 62-year-old physician and former hospital director in Nan, indicated that his resignation would not affect his status as a Member of Parliament (MP). It is widely anticipated that he will be appointed as the Minister of Public Health.
For the time being, Chusak Sirinil, the deputy leader of Pheu Thai, will assume leadership of the party. An election to select a new leader and executive board will take place in 60 days, according to secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong.
Dr Cholnan stated that his resignation was appropriate at this time since the government formation had been completed, with Pheu Thai securing 17 cabinet positions.
“The mission is accomplished. I, Dr Cholnan Srikaew, am keeping my promise that if the Pheu Thai Party and its executive board resolved to form a government with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and seal a deal with Uncle Pom (Gen Prawit’s nickname), I as the party leader would resign,” he said.
After Pheu Thai announced its new coalition alliance with Palang Pracharath on August 21, political opponents had been urging Dr Cholnan to step down immediately. However, he expressed a desire to remain in office for a few more days until the cabinet selection process was finalized.
Earlier this month, Pheu Thai withdrew from its previous coalition alliance with the election-winning Move Forward Party, which was unable to secure the election of its leader as prime minister in parliament.
Dr Cholnan expressed pride in his role as Pheu Thai leader and disappointment over the verbal attacks directed at him and the party.
A native of Nan, Dr Cholnan was first elected to the House in 2001 under the Thai Rak Thai banner. He served as deputy minister of public health in the Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2012 and 2013. He was elected leader of the Pheu Thai Party in October 2021.
