The political landscape in Thailand has been buzzing with chatter recently, centered around the prominent Pheu Thai Party member and list-MP, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung. Despite rumors swirling about his potential expulsion, party secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong has stepped forward to clarify the situation. According to Mr. Sorawong, there’s no basis for initiating a process to expel this party stalwart.
The speculation began when Pol Capt Chalerm hinted at a desire to be expelled from Pheu Thai, ostensibly to gain the freedom to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), much like his son Wan did just last week. Wan made waves by resigning from Pheu Thai after a controversial election in Pathum Thani, where his actions caused a ripple of discontent within the party.
Commenting on the matter, Mr. Sorawong emphasized that expulsion isn’t a simple button to press. “The party cannot expel a member unless the individual is found to have breached the party’s rules by an ethics committee. In Pol Capt Chalerm’s case, there is no such breach. He is a valuable person and the party has no intention to lose him,” he stated firmly.
This brings us to the crux of the matter: if Pol Capt Chalerm were to resign, he would indeed lose his parliamentary status. Conversely, being expelled would allow him to retain his status as long as he finds a new political home within the legally set timeframe.
In a gesture of goodwill, Mr. Sorawong expressed his respect for Wan’s decision to part ways and extended well-wishes. However, it seems the Ubumrung family isn’t following a single narrative. Archawin Ubumrung, another family member, remains loyal to Pheu Thai, further diversifying the family’s political footprint.
The plot thickened when Wan took to Facebook Live to set the record straight about his son Archawin’s affiliation. Despite rumors to the contrary, Archawin is still very much part of Pheu Thai, serving as an adviser to Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong.
Wan also cleared the air about his own plans, stating he will file for membership with the PPRP imminently, while his father, Pol Capt Chalerm, awaits a formal process that might—if it ever manifests—lead to his expulsion. “My son is 27 years old. Let him decide his own career path. Things about a father, grandfather, and nephew should be taken separately,” Wan insisted.
All eyes will now be on Pheu Thai’s ethics committee and the decisions that lie ahead. Until then, the potential shifting of party allegiances within the Ubumrung family adds an intriguing layer to Thailand’s already complex political theatre.
Chalerm is just hedging his bets, trying to see which party offers him the best chance of staying in power. Typical politician move.
Isn’t that what all politicians do? It’s just more noticeable because of the family drama.
True, but it undermines the trust in democratic institutions. If they can switch so easily, what’s the point of party loyalty?
Party loyalty is just a facade. These moves are all about personal gain, not about serving the public!
Maybe, but if we’re being real, party ideologies in Thailand aren’t as strong or distinct as in other countries. Switching parties isn’t inherently bad if it means better policy-making.
Hats off to Mr. Sorawong for handling this with dignity. It’s rare to see such level-headedness in politics.
Is it just me or does this whole situation seem like a power grab? Maybe they really just want to consolidate their influence.
You’re not the only one. It definitely looks like a power play, especially with Wan jumping ship already.
Right? And if Chalerm does get expelled, it’ll be like they have their bases covered in multiple parties. Genius, but sketchy.
Maybe they’re just being pragmatic. Better to have influence in multiple places than be sidelined altogether.
So typical of Thai politics to be more about personalities than policies. Who even cares about the actual issues anymore?
The personalities are the ones making the policies, so it’s all interlinked. But yeah, it can be frustrating.
Whatever happened to political integrity? If Chalerm wants to leave, he should just resign instead of looking for a loophole.
Resigning means losing his parliamentary status immediately. He’s trying to do what’s best for his career, which isn’t that hard to understand.
Thailand’s political scene is a soap opera compared to other countries. The Ubumrung family is just one subplot in an epic drama.
It’s true! It’s like watching reality TV. Not sure if it’s entertaining or just sad.
Probably a bit of both. The stakes are real, though. This affects people’s lives and livelihoods.
I really don’t see how this drama benefits anyone but the politicians themselves. Pheu Thai should focus on real issues, not internal squabbles.
Wan’s move to PPRP isn’t surprising. He’s been eyeing that for a while. Family disagreements happen, let’s not make a big deal out of it.
But it does matter! This isn’t just a family disagreement; it affects party dynamics and potentially national policies.
Is anyone surprised by all this? Thai politics has always been a messy affair.
Messy? That’s an understatement! It’s like watching a circus sometimes.
Haha, agreed! But unfortunately, the stakes are higher than a circus trick.
Yeah, the circus analogy is fun, but let’s not forget how serious the implications are for the country.
Sorawong’s comments seem like damage control. They can’t afford to lose a prominent figure before the next elections.
Does anyone trust what politicians say anymore? This is just another example of why they can’t be trusted.
It’s hard to be optimistic, but it’s also not realistic to think everyone in politics is corrupt.
Maybe not everyone, but the system is definitely broken. Actions speak louder than words.
Archawin staying with Pheu Thai while the rest of his family moves is strange. Maybe he has his own agenda.
Why can’t politicians just focus on doing their jobs instead of all this drama? The country needs strong leadership, not soap operas.
It’s the nature of human beings. Wherever there’s power, there will be drama.