Deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada has been in discussion with several parties to find one to join after being formally expelled from the Move Forward Party (MFP) and expects to make a decision by 15 October.

On 4 October 2023, the Deputy House Speaker told the media about his progress in seeking a new party. He is currently in negotiations and needs to consider each party’s policies and ideology. He also expressed his desire for each party to clearly articulate their expectations since he intends to contribute meaningfully to the party.

Padipat said he is currently considering several parties, including two opposition parties, the Thai Sang Thai Party and Fair Party, as well as other parties outside parliament. He reiterated that government coalition parties do not need to waste time reaching out to him.

The Deputy House Speaker has until 28 October 2023 to choose a new party. He said that he is likely to make a decision by 15 October if everything goes well.

He said that some members of his working team who hold executive positions in the MFP have already resigned. These include MFP Deputy Leader Supisarn Bhakdinarinath and Amarat Chokepamitkul, a member of the MFP executive committee.

Padipat was expelled from the MFP on 28 September according to a party statement which explained that the MFP was committed to work as a purely opposition party to examine the work of the government under its new leader Chaithawat Tulathon.

To be a purely opposition party, MPs from the MFP cannot hold the House Speaker or the Deputy House Speaker positions as it violates Section 106 of the constitution. Padipat insisted on retaining the Deputy House Speaker to promote an effective and transparent parliament, which he desires. Thus, the party needed to expel Padipat to enable the MFP to lead the opposition.