22-03-2025, 02:15 AM
Intharasuk Resigns Ed Ministry
Udon Nakhon Post
14 March 5628 (OOC: backdated)
Embattled Education Minister Patcharee Intharasuk (NEWP) has resigned her positions in both the NEWP-PIE government and the National Assembly in the fallout of leaked text messages printed by tabloids two days ago. Intharasuk announced the resignation on her website and spokespersons for her have not responded to requests for comment from the Post.
The resignation comes as small surprise given the explosive nature of the communications, which appeared to blame the deadly fire on its victims. Intharasuk, a MNA from Udon Nakhon who had prior to the scandal been a central player in NEWP politics was a close ally and friend of Prime Minister Chandra Srirai. The PM herself was implied in the texts to be attempting to draw attention away from the vulnerable minister, a charge which the PM's office has denied.
Provincial and national investigators have yet to identify a cause in the fire, which killed 8 and has left several more still in critical condition. Parents of the victims have maintained a vigil outside the burned school led by UCF MNA Somwang Samak whose daughter was among the injured. In a media statement following Intharasuk's resignation, Intira Pornpipatpong, mother of one of the "Innocent Eight" (as they are increasingly called online) stated that while the resignation is a step toward justice, it is not enough, and demanded further reforms to ensure fire safety and disaster response are re-centered in the national education conversation.
A spokesman for the PM's office stated that Prime Minister Srirai would visit the Queen Daksinajar Girls' Secondary School site in the next days and speak with the families around what is being done to ensure that future disasters are averted.
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