Bangkok: Suradej Yasawat, the deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has announced his resignation from the party following the departure of General Prawit Wongsuwan, the former party leader. Suradej stated that he would not accept the position of deputy party leader under new leadership and expressed uncertainty about his future in politics.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suradej revealed that his decision to leave the PPRP was influenced by General Prawit’s resignation. He had joined the party with the intent of supporting General Prawit, whom he respected as a senior figure and had a close relationship with due to General Prawit’s past association with his father. General Prawit’s decision to step down, potentially due to health concerns and his age of 81, led Suradej to conclude that he no longer had a reason to stay with the party.
Suradej emphasized his commitment to his promise to General Prawit, stating, “When I made a promise to General Prawit, I had to keep my word. I had said that if General Prawit withdrew, I would withdraw as well.” He clarified that the departure was amicable and not due to any internal conflicts within the party.
Suradej also noted that throughout his tenure with the PPRP, he funded his activities independently without seeking financial support from General Prawit or the party, leveraging his personal resources and connections.
As for his future in politics, Suradej admitted to being approached by several parties but has not yet made a decision on his next move. He remains open to joining a party with compatible ideologies if the timing aligns, acknowledging that he might take a break if no suitable opportunity presents itself immediately. Suradej conveyed that comfort in the party’s environment is a crucial factor for any future political involvement.