Labour minister confirms resignation
Labour Minister MR Chatumongol Sonakul confirmed with Nation TV reporters via telephone on Monday evening (July 20) that he has resigned after his team earlier submitted a resignation letter to Government House.
Chatumongol did not reveal the reason for quitting but said he did not resign to facilitate a Cabinet reshuffle. When asked what he would do next, Chatumongol said he did not have any plans yet but was looking forward to taking a break from working.
Chatumongol was the latest Cabinet member to step down.
On July 16, deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak, finance minister Uttama Savanayana, energy minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, minister of higher education, science, research and innovation Suvit Maesincee and Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general to the PM for political affairs, gave up their portfolios effective immediately.
Earlier on Monday, Chart Pattana Party leader Tewan Liptapanlop also stepped down from his post as Prime Minister’s Office minister, saying he resigned because “the prime minister can reshuffle the Cabinet freely and without any worries”.
Chatumongol, who quit as leader of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party on June 16, was replaced by party secretary-general Taweesak Na Takuatung.
Action Coalition co-founder Suthep Thaugsuban said the party had proposed to the prime minister that Anek Laothamatas replace Chatumongol as labour minister as the ministerial berth in the Cabinet is still under the party’s quota.
