"Sam Mitr"

Phalang Pracharat Party’s Sam Mitr or Three Allies on Tuesday backtracked on their motion to remove party secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong over a dispute for Cabinet spots, in a move to end the internal tension that has been rocking the news headlines.

An influential faction in the Phalang Pracharat Party dubbed Sam Mitr, or Three Allies, on Monday resolved to drive out the party’s secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong and demanded he not take up any political positions.

Move seen as Premier’s attempt to soften public perception of his links to the military.

A leader of the Sam Mitr (“three friends”) group said on Saturday his group would unveil within this month which political party it would join in the run-up to the country’s election.

A pro-regime group continues to recruit MPs from other parties, with Premsak Piayura, the former Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen, the latest to apparently feel their embrace.