Prapat quits TRT, citing his 'unease'
Former deputy environment minister Prapat Panyachatraksa yesterday resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party, blaming his "unease" at the party's actions. Prapat, who also stood down as chairman of the Farmer Debts Rehabilitation and Development Fund, visited the anti-government rally at Sanam Luang to pay respect to the leader of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect Samana Photirak.
He said he wanted to meet Samana as he had heard his name for a long time and wished to ensure the rally was peaceful. Prapat, known as "Kan Yao", was a student activist during the pro-democracy uprising in October 1973. Several members of the group play key roles in the Thaksin government, including Chaturon Chaisang, Sutham Saengprathum and Phumtham Wechayachai. The group's members have been urged to leave TRT. Among party heavyweights to abandon TRT are former Parliament president Uthai Pimchaichon, Korn Dabbaransi and Snoh Thienthong.
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