Star’s light extinguished

The Dao Rerk (“star”) faction in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) claimed to be a new crop of young politicians who, as the group’s name suggests, are capable of generating new “light” in the political arena.

But how they voted in last week’s censure may well dim any glow the faction has been emanating.

By refusing to cast a confidence vote for Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, touted as the PPRP’s most strategic ally in the coalition line-up, the six MPs aligned to the Dao Rerk camp did more than peeve the one person whose patience they should avoid testing the most: Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also the leader of the PPRP.

The four-day no-confidence debate in parliament, which drew to a close…