A Bhumjaithai Party MP who chose to abstain from voting for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to become prime minister on Wednesday despite his party's resolution to support the former army chief, insisted he had to fulfill a promise to voters.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a Bhumjaithai MP for Si Sa Ket said, however, that he had since apologised to Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul for his decision.
He had also explained to the leader that he did so because he promised his supporters in the recent election that the only person he would ever vote for as prime minister was Mr Anutin.
"I have no choices but to keep my word. I respect the voters and myself, so I opted to abstain from voting," he said.
He said he had been told by party executives that because its previous attempt to form a third political camp wasn't successful, the only way to fulfill promises given to voters during the campaign was to make sure the party's policies will be implemented.
"I insist I'm a man of my word. That's plain and simple. And since I've done that I'm now bracing for any impact because of my action," he said.
Asked if he will again break party ranks, he said that would be the last thing he would do because if he were a party leader himself, he would never want any party member to break a party agreement.
Mr Anutin confirmed Mr Siripong had apologised for abstaining from the PM selection vote, saying he could not blame or punish him because it was only a call for cooperation from every MP, not an order.
"That said, he should have told me first because as when he was told at a previous meeting of the party's resolution [to support Gen Prayut] he said he was fine with the party's decision," said Mr Anutin.
Although some party members had even asked Mr Anutin to oust Mr Siripong from the party for ignoring the party's resolution, Mr Anutin insisted Mr Siripong had every right to do what he did.
