BANGKOK, Nov 11 – Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban and eight fellow MPs from the opposition Democrat Party today announced they would resign from the House of Representatives tomorrow in order to fully join the anti-government rally.
The departing Democrat MPs include MP for Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsuban, Songkhla MP Thaworn Senneam, Trang MP Satit Wongnongtoey, Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Witthaya Kaewparadai, Chumphon MP Jumphon Junsai, party-list MP Issara Somchai, Bangkok MPs Puttipong Punnakan, Akkanat Prompan, Nattaphol Teepsuwan.
They announced their resignation in front of the crowds who joined the anti-amnesty bill and anti-government demonstration at the Democracy Monument on Rachadamnoen Avenue.
The lawmakers reasoned that they decided to resign from the legislature in order to join the protest at full capacity and that their anti-government role should not affect the Democrat Party as the ruling Pheu Thai Party is seeking the party’s dissolution.
Former deputy premier Suthep, who directed the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) during the political demonstrations in 2010, said he would submit his letter of resignation to the House Speaker at 11am Tuesday.
Mr Suthep also urged the public to adopt four measures for civil disobedience including three-day work stoppages for private companies and businesses Nov 13-15 to join rallies nationwide, delaying mid-year tax submissions, raising the national flag at homes as a symbolic gesture of fighting for the nation and blowing whistles at the prime minister and her cabinet members.
Another MP, Mr Thaworn, said he could not accept an “authoritarian parliament”. He pledged to fight on behalf of the people without parliamentary immunity.
