Political manoeuvres have seen Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada ousted from the Move Forward Party (MFP), a strategic move that preserves the position for MFP allies while the party transitions into its new function as the primary opposition party. This was the consensus amongst politicians and academics alike.
Padipat, having been given an ultimatum by the MFP, made the decision not to step down from his position, leading to his expulsion. This move has been widely criticised as a ploy by the opposition party to monopolise power and control.
According to the constitution, a party cannot simultaneously hold the role of opposition leader and occupy a speaker’s post. As a result, Padipat, representing Phitsanulok as an MP, had to face a tough choice – resign or find another solution.
When Padipat decided to retain his position as deputy…
