Labour minister resigns from party

Labour minister resigns from party

Ministership not affected for now, change depends on PM

M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul (centre) gives a speech to Labour Ministry's officials on the first day he took office at the ministry on July 17 last year. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul (centre) gives a speech to Labour Ministry's officials on the first day he took office at the ministry on July 17 last year. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul has resigned as leader of the Action Coalition for Thailand.

While the resignation technically does not affect his ministership, change is likely as the ministry is the quota of the five-MP party.

M.R. Chatu Mongkol, 76, was a former governor of the Bank of Thailand. He became the leader of the party shortly before the 2019 general election, persuaded by Suthep Thaugsuban, a party founder and former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

M.R. Chatu Mongol told Thai media on Tuesday he had resigned but did not elaborate on the reason, saying: “No reason. It’s like a husband and wife getting a divorce”.

According to him, the resignation took effect immediately and he remained the labour minister “unless he removes me in a cabinet reshuffle”, referring to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Thai media reported the party held a meeting on Tuesday where evaluating M.R. Chatu Mongol’s one-year performance as the minister was on the agenda.

The meeting gave him a fail grade, viewing the ministry’s reaction on unemployment during the Covid-19 outbreak was not timely enough. There were also reports on the performance of the ministry in addressing the troubles of the unemployed, which number a million.

On the same day, M.R. Chatu Mongol had his close aide submit his resignation.

The new party leader will likely be executive Anek Laothamatas, with secretary-general Thaweesak na Takuathung serving as acting party leader during the transition.

According to media, Mr Suthep earlier met Gen Prayut to insist on his party’s claim of the labour portfolio for the duration of this government.

A source in the party said M.R. Chatu Mongol had been unhappy with his party for a while.

“The party ordered me around. They let me lead it but won’t listen to me. From now on it may not tell me what to do. I’ll serve as the labour minister only,” he reportedly said. 

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