Bangkok: In a significant turn of events, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was ousted from his position by Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday. The court’s decision was a result of an ethical breach, specifically the appointment of a lawyer to his cabinet who had a criminal record dating back 16 years when he was sent to jail. This ruling came just a week after the dissolution of the primary opposition, the Move Forward Party.
The judge’s ruling, which found the Prime Minister violated the constitution by appointing Pichit Chuenban as a minister, has significant legal and political implications. The decision was reached by a narrow margin of 5–4, resulting in Srettha’s removal from office.
Up to forty former senators had petitioned the court, challenging Srettha’s ruling even though the nation’s constitution clearly states that ministers must be “of evident integrity” and that their conduct must adhere to moral principles.
Only last year did Srettha, a real estate tycoon, enter the frequently unstable Thai political scene.
The dismissed PM won a legislative vote with a simple majority, making him the new prime minister of the Southeast Asian monarchy in August 2023. This cleared the way for the nominee of the Pheu Thai Party to lead the nation’s next government.
According to local media, Phumtham Wechayachai, the deputy prime minister, is expected to be named caretaker prime minister until the nation’s Parliament meets to elect a new prime minister.
The dissolution of the Move Forward Party, the primary opposition, on August 7 by the same court was a significant blow to the political landscape. The court deemed the party’s attempts to change a statute regarding the kingdom’s royal family as unconstitutional, leading to its disbandment.
Additionally, the court barred 11 members of the party’s executive board from engaging in political activity for ten years, as the Xinhua news agency reported last week.
In Thailand’s general election last year, the Move Forward Party emerged as the largest party in the lower house of the National Assembly; nevertheless, its prime ministerial candidate failed to win over the majority of parliamentarians.
According to the lese-majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, anybody who defames, insults, or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent, or regent faces a sentence of three to fifteen years in jail.
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–IANS
