In a dramatic turn of events, Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed their Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office. This decision was declared on Wednesday, August 14, which suggested that Thavisin had thrown the country into political uncertainty.
Thailand PM’s Controversial Appointment Of Pichi Cheunban
The constitutional court of Thailand ruled that Srettha breached ethical standards when he appointed Pichit Chuenban to his cabinet. Pichit was given the role of Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office in April this year. He reportedly had a controversial past. In 2008, he served a six-month prison sentence for contempt of court after allegedly bribing a judge. This appointment led to a legal challenge by a group of former senators, who argued that it violated constitutional rules.
Judge Calls Out PM Srettha’s Wrongdoing
Judge Punya Udchachon explained that by appointing someone with a controversial history like that of Pichit Cheunban, Srettha had acted unethically. The court voted narrowly, five to four, to remove Srettha from office. Despite PM Srettha’s denial of alleged wrongdoing and his claim that Pichit was appointed after the conduction of proper procedures, the court still found the appointment to be problematic.
Thai Parliament To Seek New Prime Minister
The cabinet is said to remain in place temporarily but will not be able to make major decisions. The Thai Parliament now faces the task of selecting a new prime minister following the removal of the current Prime Minister. The ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition is expected to propose a new candidate, who will then be voted on by the 500-seat Parliament. This process is so far not backed by a deadline which pushes the political instability in Thailand.
Last Week’s Dissolution Of The MFP
This decision is followed by another recent blow to Thailand’s political landscape. A week ago, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which had won the most seats in last year’s elections. The court’s ruling came after the Election Commission raised concerns about the MFP’s campaign to amend Thailand’s strict lese-majeste law, which protects the monarchy from criticism. The party’s dissolution, along with a 10-year ban on its leaders, including former head Pita Limjaroenrat, has further complicated the current political scene in the country. The future of the country remains uncertain as the Parliament faces the critical task of choosing a new leader.