Known for his fiery rhetoric, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung has pledged to act independently, ensuring that the Pheu Thai Party stays in check. This determination comes after the party repeatedly refused to expel him, leading to heightened tensions. The discord originated when Pol Capt Chalerm and his son, former MP Wan Ubumrung, attended a post-local election gathering organized by a rival candidate in Pathum Thani on June 30. Since then, the situation has escalated, with Mr. Wan defecting to the coalition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
Pol Capt Chalerm has persistently urged Pheu Thai to expel him so he can retain his MP seat upon transitioning to a new party. However, Pheu Thai’s leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, reiterated that the party had no plans to expel him. The tensions reached a new peak when Ms. Paetongtarn removed Pol Capt Chalerm from the party’s MP chatroom on the Line application. She justified this action by explaining that Pol Capt Chalerm had declared his intention to join a new party via text, causing discomfort among other MPs. Without elaborating further, she emphasized the chatroom’s primary purpose of coordinating work-related appointments among MPs.
“The Line group chat is meant for professional communication. We thought it best to remove Pol Capt Chalerm to avoid further dramatization,” Ms. Paetongtarn stated, expressing the party’s desire to resolve the issue peacefully. She also announced her decision to no longer entertain journalists’ questions about the Ubumrung spat.
In addition to his request for expulsion, Pol Capt Chalerm has threatened to reveal secrets about Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms. Paetongtarn’s father, who is said to have substantial influence over Pheu Thai. Only he, Pol Capt Chalerm insists, is privy to these secrets. Should the party continue to disregard his demands, he vowed to take on a new role as an independent MP, openly criticizing his own party, especially during House debates.
On Wednesday, Pol Capt Chalerm asserted that he had “taken care of” several legal cases for Thaksin while the former Prime Minister lived in self-imposed exile. Thaksin fled the country shortly before being convicted by the Supreme Court in an abuse of power case related to the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.
“Between Thaksin and me, there are no outstanding debts. But it would be fascinating to have a face-to-face debate,” Pol Capt Chalerm remarked during a press conference.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, meanwhile, chose to distance himself from the controversy, urging the media to cease its preoccupation with the matter.
The unfolding drama between Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung and the Pheu Thai Party adds another layer to Thailand’s colorful political landscape, promising an intriguing saga for both supporters and onlookers.
Chalerm is just seeking attention. He should respect the party’s decision if they don’t want to expel him.
I disagree. Chalerm has every right to act independently if the party won’t make a fair decision.
Going rogue isn’t the answer. It just creates chaos within the party.
But sometimes chaos is necessary to reveal the truth. Chalerm might bring some much-needed transparency.
The party’s refusal to expel Chalerm only shows their inability to handle internal affairs efficiently.
Or maybe they know expelling him would backfire and create more instability.
But how can they just let him threaten to reveal secrets and undermine the party? It’s a leadership failure.
Seems like they’re scared of what secrets he might spill. It’s all about protecting their interests.
Politics in Thailand is always a show. Chalerm’s antics are no different.
You think this is just theatrics? People’s lives are affected by these power struggles!
Sure, but look at how much media attention this is getting. It’s like a soap opera.
True, but we can’t let the drama overshadow serious political issues that need addressing.
I think it’s brave of Chalerm to stand up against Thaksin, considering his past influence.
Paetongtarn should have handled this more discreetly instead of removing him from the chat.
Agreed. It looks petty and unprofessional. They should be above such actions.
Exactly. They could have resolved this internally without airing their dirty laundry.
But sometimes transparency is necessary. At least now we know what’s really going on.
Will this infighting harm Pheu Thai’s chances in the next elections?
Probably. Voters don’t want to support a party that can’t keep its house in order.
But doesn’t it also show that there’s room for dissent, which can be healthy for a party?
True, but if it’s too much dissent, it just looks like they’re falling apart.
Chalerm’s threats about revealing Thaksin’s secrets are a desperate move.
It’s interesting how everyone always circles back to Thaksin. His influence is still so strong.
The bigger question is whether Pheu Thai can survive without relying on the Shinawatra name.
Exactly. They’re too dependent on that legacy. This might force them to evolve.
But evolution takes time. They might lose significant support in the process.
True, but it’s a necessary risk. Otherwise, they’re stuck in the past.
Legacy is not necessarily a bad thing. It gives them a solid base to work from.
Yes, but they need to move beyond it to grow and adapt.
Without Thaksin, Pheu Thai is just another party. Do they even have a future?
Whether you like Chalerm or not, he’s definitely shaking things up in Thai politics.
Chalerm’s claims about handling Thaksin’s legal issues sound dubious to me.
Who knows anymore? The truth is often the first casualty in politics.
So true. We may never know what’s fact or fiction in this saga.