Bangkok: The Democrat Party finds itself in another period of upheaval as Lt. Cdr. Sutham Ra-hong, the Deputy Party Leader, has announced his resignation. Sutham cited irreconcilable differences in working styles with the party executives as the primary reason for his departure. He is now planning to establish a political school aimed at educating the younger generation interested in politics, with an expected launch by the end of this year.
According to Thai News Agency, Sutham confirmed his resignation from the Democrat Party on July 17, which automatically relieved him of all his positions within the party. Despite taking a break from active political roles, Sutham remains engaged with national news and the political landscape. His envisioned political school is intended to bridge the knowledge gap for young individuals keen on understanding and engaging in politics.
Sutham explained that his decision to resign was influenced by a mismatch between his working style and that of the current party executives. He believed that continuing in his role could lead to disagreements that might harm the party. By stepping aside, Sutham aims to provide the current leadership with the opportunity to manage the party without internal conflicts. He emphasized that his departure was not related to any other issues and that he did not intend to join another political party immediately.
There was speculation that Sutham's resignation was partly triggered by the Democrat Party's decision to proceed with government formation without consulting the MPs and party executive committee, leading to a legal complaint. However, Sutham clarified that while this was a factor, the primary concern was the party's management strategy and its unclear direction. He refrained from further criticism, focusing instead on the need for the party to establish a clear path forward.
Sutham's resignation also follows his earlier conflicts with party executives over the nomination of ministers, a process he had criticized for not adhering to party regulations. He had previously resigned from his role as secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, where the party leader, Chalermchai Sri-on, served as the minister.