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In a press conference, Suwit said he did not want to stick to a position but he wanted the country to move on smoothly. Therefore he had decided not to take any post in the Somchai Wongsawat Cabinet. He had discussed the matter with the party's executives.

He had already submitted a list of people to join Somchai's Cabinet from the party's quota. However, he would declare his stance on whether he would continue leading the party after the government was formed. The party has four ministerial seats in its quota.

Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Prasong Kositanon, Puea Pandin Party spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, Nakhon Phanom MP Alongkot Maneekad and Roi Et MP Noppadon Polsue accompanied Suwit, who looked exhausted, during the press conference.

Earlier, all 24 of the party's MPs opposed Suwit as well as Prasong taking any post. Three of the MPs are from the Ban Rim Nam faction, which includes caretaker Deputy Finance Minister Pichet Tancharoen. The faction has nominated Suradet Yasawat and Pichet for ministerial portfolios, MP Purapat Wisetchindawatana said.

Meanwhile, a People Power Party source, who asked not to be named, said Prime Minister Somchai had informed the Puea Pandin Party that if it could not agree on the ministers in its quota, he would release it from the government.

However, another well-informed source, who asked not to be named, said the real reason for Suwit's retraction was because he considered becoming only deputy prime minister would mean little to him. He wanted to be in charge of the Industry Ministry, the source said.

Although he failed to get an MP's post, Suwit was a deputy prime minister and industry minister during the Samak Sundaravej government.

Suwit's press conference followed one by Chaiyos who told the press about Suwit's decision.