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Thailand’s Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was accused of violating ethical rules under the constitution by appointing a minister who was jailed in 2008.
According to French news agency AFP, Judge Punya Udchachon announced in reading the results of the deliberations that the judges decided to “end” Sreeta’s position by a vote of five in favor and four against. Sreeta said he respected the Constitutional Court’s ruling, although it was not what he expected.
“I respect the decision. I repeat, in almost a year in this position, I have done my best to govern the country honestly,” he told reporters after arriving at government headquarters in Bangkok. “I no longer have power. Power is now in the hands of the interim prime minister,” Thai newspaper Bangkok Post quoted him as saying.
The court found Straita guilty of appointing Pichit Chuenban as finance minister in late April, who was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 for attempting to bribe a judicial official. The complaint was filed with the court by a group of 40 former senators elected by the disbanded military government (2014-2019).
Other waterfalls
According to Spain’s EFE news agency, the decision came a week after the court dissolved the 2023 election-winning party, En Marche, which was banned because the Senate prevented it from governing.
Stretchha Thavisin, 62, came to power about a year ago after leading a coalition of the second-largest vote-getting Phue Thai party with several parties, including two with ties to the former military government.
Sreeta’s dismissal would lead to the collapse of the entire cabinet and the House of Representatives would have to choose a new leader, in principle with no deadline, which could paralyze the Southeast Asian country.
The ministers will remain in their posts, with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai serving as interim prime minister, the Bangkok Post reported. The prime minister’s removal and the dissolution of the Forward group last week sparked widespread criticism of the judicialization of politics.
According to EFE, the Progressive Party re-emerged last Friday under the new name “Popular Party” and continues to be the main opposition force. Southeast Asia’s second largest economy is accustomed to periodic crises and has long been unstable, with the political system subject to interference by the military or the judiciary.
It is also characterized by deep divisions between the military/monarchist bloc and the progressive movement, AFP reported.
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