Padipat reveals Fair Party move

politics: Padipat Santipada, the expelled Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, has announced he is moving to the Fair Party, in what critics have branded as a tactic to retain his deputy House speaker post.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Padipat, a Phitsanulok MP, said he will lodge his membership application with the party later today.

His defection was expected after his alleged “tactical” expulsion from the MFP. He has 30 days in which to find a new party.

Mr Padipat and the MFP are facing investigation over claims the expulsion was intended to allow the MFP, through its Fair Party ally, to keep both the deputy House speaker and opposition leader posts.

Under the law, the opposition leader could not be from the MFP, the main opposition party, if Mr Padipat remained deputy House speaker and an MFP MP.

Yesterday, Fair Party list-MP Kannavee…