Thai Court Removes Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from Office for Breaking Constitution
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been ousted from office following a court ruling that he violated the constitution, marking a significant political upheaval. The decision comes shortly after the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the previous year’s election, with its leaders banned from politics for a decade.
On Wednesday, August 14, the Constitutional Court in Bangkok determined that Srettha, a real estate mogul and relatively new figure in politics, breached ethics by appointing a lawyer with a criminal record to his Cabinet. The court’s decision was made with a 5-4 vote, leading to Srettha and his Cabinet’s dismissal, citing that the prime minister knowingly appointed someone lacking moral integrity.
The ruling necessitates the formation of a new government, with the Pheu Thai-led coalition expected to nominate a new prime ministerial candidate for a vote in the 500-seat parliament.
In response to the ruling, Srettha expressed that he did his best as prime minister and respects the court’s decision, though he is uncertain if his policies will continue under the next administration.
This case against Srettha was initiated in May by 40 military-appointed former senators, challenging his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, an aide to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was jailed in 2008 for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials in a land case involving Thaksin. Despite the allegations, Srettha has maintained his innocence, stating that Pichit was properly vetted and that all procedures were followed.
