Former Bangkok MP Wan Ubumrung has resigned from the ruling Pheu Thai Party after he was criticised for fraternising with a party opponent in a recent local election in Pathum Thani.
Mr Wan tendered his resignation at the Election Commission (EC) on Monday, with immediate effect.
Emerging from the EC, he said his decision to quit came after he was summoned by the party to explain his appearance at the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman election in Pathum Thani after the polls closed on June 30.
Mr Wan met Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, who contested the PAO race as a Khon Rak Pathum (Love Pathum) candidate and who is a close friend of the Ubumrung family, to offer sympathy to the former police commissioner.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit was defeated by Pheu Thai's candidate, Charn Phuangphet, by less than 2,000 votes.
Mr Wan's show of compassion to an opponent upset the Pheu Thai leadership. He was subsequently called in to explain himself to party executives and leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra on July 9.
Mr Wan told the party he felt nothing was wrong with him meeting Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, who previously had close ties to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom Pheu Thai holds in high regard.
The meeting took place after the polls had closed, so it would not have affected the election result.
On Monday, Mr Wan said he initially had no intention of quitting the party when he entered the July 9 meeting with Pheu Thai executives. However, after talking with the executives, it was apparent the party was displeased with him.
"It never crossed my mind what I did was so wrong, despite my being apologetic about the encounter," he said.
"I can't stay on now that the party executives are no longer happy with me."
Mr Wan added that the party might not have considered him an asset anymore after he lost in last year's general election in Bangkok's Bang Bon constituency to the Move Forward Party (MFP).
"But I'm not the only Pheu Thai candidate in Bangkok who suffered a defeat. The party was beaten in all but one of 33 constituencies by the MFP. Pheu Thai should reflect on its poll performance," he said.
He also said he was counting on the party to expel his father, Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung, as a list MP so that his father could retain his MP status and defect to another party.
Mr Wan said he was open to offers from other parties interested in recruiting him as a member. He admitted maintaining close ties with Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul.
Meanwhile, Ms Paetongtarn said the talk with Mr Wan was over and done with. "There's nothing more to it," she said.
While she did not wish to see Mr Wan leave the party, she respected his decision to do so.
As for Pol Capt Chalerm, the Pheu Thai leader reiterated that the party had no policy to purge the MP in this case.
Wan: Sympathy sparks party dispute