
The decision by Yaowapa Wongsawat to quit politics is believed to be a new strategic move to make it appear that the last member of the Shinawatra clan has pulled out of the Pheu Thai Party, according to a political source.
However, not having membership of the party does not mean the influence of Ms Yaowapa, a younger sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, over Pheu Thai will fade.
Questions from many political quarters persisted as to whether Ms Yaowapa, leader of the powerful Wang Bua Ban faction in Pheu Thai, is genuinely turning her back on the party and on politics after her sibling former premiers, Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra were ousted as prime ministers.