Democrat deputy leader Suchatvee quits to form new party

Dr Suchatvee Suwansawat, deputy leader of the Democrat party, has resigned, effective today, to join forces with Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, a former deputy leader of the party, to form a new political party, to be called “Thai Kao Mai.”

His resignation from all posts in the party, and as a party member, was delivered to the party and the Office of the Election Commission by his secretary today. He went to the party’s head office this morning to pay his respects to a religious icon associated with the party.

Suchatvee said that his resignation has nothing to do with any conflict with the party’s leadership, led by Chalermchai Srion, but stems from his own political ideology and his aspiration to see change in Thailand. He added that he had personally informed Chalermchai of his resignation.

Asked whether his next step would be to form and lead a new party, to be named “Thai Kao Mai”, he “Yes,” adding that he has been in talks with Khunying Kalaya and several other new generation people who share similar ideologies and aspirations.

A former candidate in the Bangkok gubernatorial election against Chadchart Sittipunt, Suchatvee said that his focus now is on national affairs, especially education, noting that it is crucial for the future survival of the Thai nation.