Thaksin resigns from Thai Rak Thai

Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigns from Thai Rak Thai Party on Tuesday, TRT's deputy leader Pongthep Thepkarnchana said.

Pongthep was reading a letter of Thaksin sent from London.

Thaksin, TRT leader, claimed that he decided to resign to solve the chaos in the country.

Thaksin who is now in London sent his message today to party members about his political future and the party's directions. The party will give a press briefing to tell the public about the decision.

Thaksin was ousted last month when the military seized power from his government while he was in New York to attend UN General Assembly.

He then travelled to London where his family has an apartment to live with his daughter.

Thaksin's message came two days after Gen Surayud Jalanont was appointed as the prime minister of an interim government.

The Nation

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF THAKSIN'S LETTER

Thaksin: I'll quit

London, The United Kingdom, 2nd October 2006 Subject Resignation from the Thai Rak Thai Party leader Dear Thai Rak Thai executive committee and party members,

As I was elected as the Thai Rak Thai party leader ever since the party was established, I would like to express my gratitude to all the party members as well as the executive committee and the party staff members who have joined hands in building the Thai Rak Thai party as a true political party for the people, with more than 14 millions members. The party received the overwhelming votes in the general elections and was able to form the government twice.

Of all these times, I have dedicated myself working with the ambition in preserving the country's and people's interests and stick have always been true to my oath that "(I) will be loyal to the king as well as follow the constitution of Thailand in every way."

There were several and heavy criticisms as well as protest against the government after the general election in 2005. I have been patient and tried every possible way to avoid violence so much so that I dissolved the parliament in February 2006 to let the Thai people made another decision. I had to take the job as the caretaker premiere according to the constitution in order to prepare the jobs transfer to the new government.

However, the delay as well as conflicts with the anti-government groups had risen sharply. Government was not able to implement the law that it was supposed to do. And so the coup took place on September 19, as you all are very well aware of.

According to the norm of political party in the democracy regime, when such political change took place, I believed that the party leader and every executive member should sacrifice by resigning from the posts. Such move will allow party members to elect a new executive committee to run the party when the law allows it to.

For those who wish to change their political or personal path, they will also be given such an opportunity.

As for me, after a careful consideration, I believe I have to sacrifice by resigning from the post of Thai Rak Thai Party leader, with an immediate effect.

I would like to send my best regards to all executive committee, the party staff members and the party members. Once again, thank you very much for your dedication in building this party together as well as your thoughtfulness for myself and my family.

Finally, I would like to apologise to the party members and Thai people who wish to see me remaining as the party leader. I would to emphasise that I have no choice. because the new environment forced me to choose to preserve our pride and the future of those who love our party.

Your truly,

Thaksin Shinawatra