Nine MPs of the Democrat Party officially handed in their resignations as members of parliament on Tuesday, rescinding their parliamentary immunity to fight as ordinary people in a protest against the amnesty bill.
They are Suthep Thaugsuban of Surat Thani, Thaworn Senneam of Songkhla, Sathit Wongnongtoey of Trang, Witthaya Kaewparadai of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumpol Julasai of Chumphon, Putthipong Punnakant of Bangkok, Ekanat Prompan of Bangkok, Nathapol Teepsuwan of Bangkok and Issara Somchai, a party list MP.
Mr Suthep said they said they would fight within the law and were ready to defend themselves within the justice system if legal action were taken against them.
Mr Suthep said he and his colleagues would continue to base their struggle on the Ratchadamnoen Avenue protest site. Activities to be carried out would be mapped out on a daily basis.
He said his call for a work stoppage on Nov 13-15 was only an initial step in a campaign of civil disobedience. Other steps would follow to demonstrate the people's disapproval of the government.
Mr Suthep asked the government not to use force against people who stage a peaceful protest.
He said his activities from now would have nothing to do with the Democrat Party. The remaining Democrat MPs could decide for themselves whether to go up on the stage to speak against the government.
The party's executive committee will select eight candidates to run in by-elections, he said.
A replacement MP will also be appointed from the party list
Prapan Naigowit, an Election Commission member in charge of elections, said the EC is ready to hold by-elections in 45 days of the resignation.
Of the nine MPs who resigned, eight were elected from constituencies. Therefore, the by-elections would be called in eight constituencies.
Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Surasawadi said he would ask the EC to investigate whether the resignation of the nine MPs was lawful and reasonable. If not, he would ask the EC to demand 30 million baht each from the eight constituency MPs who resigned, or a total of 240 million baht, to organise the by-elections.
He said the government would not dissolve the House of Representatives because it was still duty-bound to amend several other sections of the constitution.
The government would definitely serve out its four-year term, Mr Plodprasop said.