UTN says prime minister must resign

ULTIMATUM ISSUED AS PAETONGTARN SEEKS TO STAY IN OFFICE

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

>>The United Thai Nation (UTN) Party said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra must resign or else it will have no choice but to exit the coalition government amid growing public pressure.

The UTN is now awaiting a formal response from the prime minister regarding its demand that she step aside to make way for Chaikasem Nitisiri, the remaining Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, to assume the premiership, said Witthaya Kaewparadai, a UTN list MP and deputy leader of the party, yesterday.

The party made its demand as the Pheu Thai-led government faced political pressure over the border dispute with Cambodia.

“The reason is the prime minister is no longer fit to continue [holding] office, and in any case, she won't be able to hold on to power for more than another two or three months at most,” said Mr Witthaya.

Regarding speculation that Ms Paetongtarn has sought more time in office until the 2026 fiscal budget bill is passed in the next few months, Mr Witthaya said the party would not wait.

“The issue is that there's no certainty she'll be able to remain in office that long, especially now that several petitions have been filed questioning her ethical standards,” Mr Witthaya said, referring to Ms Paetongtarn’s handling of relations with Cambodia.