Jakrapob resigns 'for the sake of democracy'

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair yesterday tendered his resignation, citing the survival of the government and democracy as the reason.

Jakrapob apologised to his supporters while announcing his decision to step down at a press conference at Government House.

"I want my supporters to know that my resignation is not a weakness or a retreat but a political step to save the majority,'' he said.

More than 20 members of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship gathered in a show of support at the Naree Samosorn Building as Jakrapob announced his resignation before a throng of local and foreign reporters.

Jakrapob denied committing lese majeste, saying he had explained his innocence and that he had no intention of slighting the monarchy in the speech he made at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on August 29 last year, ten months before he was royally endorsed as a minister.

"I will keep on fighting. I want not only justice for myself but also to set a norm so that society sees less wrongdoing, destruction and evil,'' he said.

He said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had faced heavy pressure over the past three days after reports of a possible coup were spread in a bid to undermine the government both inside and outside the House, so he decided to diffuse the tension and pressure on the PM by quitting.

"A plan was mapped out by outsiders for players to play the game. I am the victim because I am linked to the highest institution. I have taken the decision that I need to … so that democracy can win in the end,'' he said.

Jakrapob also denied reports he had played games himself by creating conflict between powerful figures in the government for his own survival. "People in the government camp also have short vision by playing the games of the rival camp. Since this controversy had no logic but became a power game, I have decided to quit in order to keep the big ship from sinking,'' he said.

Jakrapob's resignation will take effect early next week.

Jakrapob thanked Samak for being a gentleman in light of the controversy surrounding him, saying he respected the prime minister's political ideology and would follow in his footsteps.

He said later he would report to the to the Crime Suppression Division between 1pm and 2pm today to acknowledge the charges related to his controversial speech.