Bangkok
The ruling party in Thailand has sparked an internal revolt over its plans to require members running for office to give up their mistresses. The Thai Rak Thai Party has been rocked by scandal after scandal in recent months, as wronged wives or jilted girlfriends of politicians tell their stories to the tabloids. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has proposed that only faithful husbands be allowed to run for Parliament. Fellow party members are dismayed, and one said the rule would disqualify more than three-quarters of the parliamentarians. To have a mistress is an individuals right, Member of Parliament Thirachai Sirikhan told the Bangkok Nation.