Paetongtarn kicks Chalerm Yubamrung out of Party’s chat group

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has removed veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung from the party’s LINE application group. However, she has stopped short of expelling him from the party itself.

Paetongtarn revealed her decision today, July 25, just one day after Chalerm held a press conference at his home in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district, daring the party to kick him out. He also declared that any love lost between him and Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was now gone.

The US-born Thai politician explained that the group contained sensitive information, including schedules and other pertinent details for the party MPs.

“I was the one who removed Chalerm from the LINE group of Pheu Thai MPs.”

Concerned that Chalerm’s actions might unsettle other members, the Pheu Thai leader took the decisive step after his press conference. Chalerm had also expressed his desire to switch parties within the group, prompting Paetongtarn to act without prior consultation.

The rift between Paetongtarn and the Yubamrung family deepened last month when she reprimanded Chalerm’s son, Wan Yubamrung, for supporting a rival candidate in the Pathum Thani CEO election. Wan resigned from Pheu Thai last week and joined the Palang Pracharath Party, led by General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Chalerm announced he had visited Khamronwit Thupkrajang, the rival of Pheu Thai’s Pathum Thani CEO candidate, Charn Puangphet after the polls closed. He provocatively demanded the party expel him.

“Please expel me immediately as people are now fed up with this sort of news.”

Chalerm claimed that core members turned against him after learning about his son’s visit to Khamronwit on election day, prompting Paetongtarn to mediate the situation. Despite her efforts, Wan left the party. Chalerm further challenged Thaksin to an open debate on who owed whom a debt of gratitude in politics.

The 37 year old Paetongtarn responded by clarifying that the party has no policy of expelling MPs. She said any discussions would be conducted professionally at the party headquarters, not at Chalerm’s home. As for Chalerm’s debate challenge, she advised him to contact Thaksin directly, reported The Nation.