‘New Gen’ panel axed in budget row

A panel of younger members of the Future Forward Party (FFP) has been sacked for allegedly misusing an internal budget, according to the party.

FFP spokeswoman Pannikar Vanich yesterday confirmed the dismissal of acting members of the so-called New Gen Network (NGN), as ordered by the party’s executive board.

The board refrained from explaining the details of the alleged budget misuse to avoid harming the reputation of the individuals involved, Ms Pannikar said.

The board will consider disclosing the details only when those at the centre of the allegations give their consent, she added.

The news followed reports of a young FFP co-founder quitting the party. On her Facebook page, the user who called herself Nana Wipaphan Wongsawang, 25, announced she has turned her back on the party and is no longer a member and potential MP candidate.

She also said she does not wish to discuss the matter with the party.

“From now on, I relinquish any connection with the FFP. I don’t wish to hear the [party’s] name or anything that reminds me [of it],” she wrote.

Ms Wipaphan founded the Thaiconsent. org website with the objective of creating a “safe space” for exchanging views on sex education. She was approached to join by party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul.

Ms Pannikar, meanwhile, said the party will not tolerate any graft or abuse of the budget as the finances come from member fees and cash donations from supporters who hope to see clean politics.

She said a team of lawyers and auditors had checked the spending of cash linked to the NGN and the probe results have been sent to the party’s executive board.

In the meantime, she said the party’s activities to engage with young people and members will continue, though the secretariat office has been asked to monitor the NGN’s work pending a new panel being chosen.