The ouster of an influential Thai lawmaker and his supporters from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) in the ruling coalition may trigger an early general election and hamper Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's ability to pass key legislation, including the budget for next year.
PPRP expelled its secretary-general Thamanat Prompow and 20 other MPs on Wednesday night, accusing them of "serious unethical behaviour." Capt Thamanat's rebellion is the biggest political challenge faced by Gen Prayut's nearly three-year-old government amid simmering public discontent about rising food prices and its handling of the pandemic.
