Gaybutton Posted October 3, 2006 Posted October 3, 2006 BANGKOK, Oct 3 (TNA) Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday resigned as leader of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, reasoning his resignation was to secure the party future. Mr. Thaksin, also the TRT's founder, sent his letter of resignation dated October 2 from London where he has been staying following the September 19 military coup d' etat in which his government was deposed. His message was announced at party headquarters in Bangkok Tuesday afternoon by party executives. In his message, Mr. Thaksin thanked all party members for their contribution in making TRT "a real people's political party" that won an overwhelming majority of the vote in the past several general elections, enabling it to form two governments. As a traditional practice performed by political parties in democratic systems, he said, at times of political change such as the current period, a party's leader and its executive members should resign to be replaced by a new party executive committee. Any party members opting to change their political path or personal life can take advantage of this crucial opportunity to decide what suitable for them. As for himself, Mr. Thaksin said in his letter, he chose to make the sacrifice of resigning from the party leader's position. Mr. Thaksin ended his letter by emphasising he must resign since the current circumstances forced him to do so in order to secure the future of the party. TRT deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana said the letter made Mr. Thaksin's resignation effective immediately and all party incumbent executives will lose their administrative status automatically. According to the law, the party must convene to select the new executive committee within 45 days, but it cannot do so at present due to the order issued by the now-defunct Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) prohibiting the meeting of political parties. Despite his resignation as the party leader, Mr. Pongthep said, Mr.Thaksin still holds the status of being a party member. According to party regulations, Mr. Pongthep said, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, former Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, who is second in line for the party administrative responsibility, will be the party's acting leader until a new executive committee is formed. To date, 69 TRT members including party executives have tendered their resignations, according to Mr. Pongthep. The party is well aware of the reasons why they decided to leave. However, he said, some remaining members will continue working for the party. (TNA)-E009 ____________________ Text of Thaksin's Letter, as it appears in THE NATION: _____ UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF THAKSIN'S LETTER London, The United Kingdom, 2nd October 2006 Subject Resignation from the Thai Rak Thai Party leader Dear Thai Rak Thai executive committee and party members, As I was elected as the Thai Rak Thai party leader ever since the party was established, I would like to express my gratitude to all the party members as well as the executive committee and the party staff members who have joined hands in building the Thai Rak Thai party as a true political party for the people, with more than 14 millions members. The party received the overwhelming votes in the general elections and was able to form the government twice. Of all these times, I have dedicated myself working with the ambition in preserving the country's and people's interests and stick have always been true to my oath that "(I) will be loyal to the king as well as follow the constitution of Thailand in every way." There were several and heavy criticisms as well as protest against the government after the general election in 2005. I have been patient and tried every possible way to avoid violence so much so that I dissolved the parliament in February 2006 to let the Thai people made another decision. I had to take the job as the caretaker premiere according to the constitution in order to prepare the jobs transfer to the new government. However, the delay as well as conflicts with the anti-government groups had risen sharply. Government was not able to implement the law that it was supposed to do. And so the coup took place on September 19, as you all are very well aware of. According to the norm of political party in the democracy regime, when such political change took place, I believed that the party leader and every executive member should sacrifice by resigning from the posts. Such move will allow party members to elect a new executive committee to run the party when the law allows it to. For those who wish to change their political or personal path, they will also be given such an opportunity. As for me, after a careful consideration, I believe I have to sacrifice by resigning from the post of Thai Rak Thai Party leader, with an immediate effect. I would like to send my best regards to all executive committee, the party staff members and the party members. Once again, thank you very much for your dedication in building this party together as well as your thoughtfulness for myself and my family. Finally, I would like to apologise to the party members and Thai people who wish to see me remaining as the party leader. I would to emphasise that I have no choice. because the new environment forced me to choose to preserve our pride and the future of those who love our party. Your truly, Thaksin Shinawatra Quote
