Constitutional Court Ruling - Another crisis in Thailand: Prime Minister Srettha ousted
Thailand in Political Turmoil: Thailand's Constitutional Court in Bangkok has removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office following a lawsuit filed by dozens of senators. In a vote of five to four, the judges ruled in favor of removing the 62-year-old in the afternoon (local time). The decision, eagerly anticipated nationwide, came as a surprise to many political observers.
The 40 senators accused Srettha of violating regulations by appointing politician Pichit Chuenban as a minister, as Pichit has a criminal record. Pichit was convicted in 2008 to six months in prison for contempt of court in a corruption scandal. He had already resigned in May amid increasing legal pressure.
In his defense, Srettha argued to political observers that the appointment of Pichit was lawful, among other reasons, because he had sought legal advice beforehand. However, the court ruled that the prime minister had violated ethical rules.
Srettha did not attend the ruling - he had other engagements. Observers noted that he had scheduled many appointments for the coming weeks and did not seem to expect the verdict. Speaking to journalists, he said he would accept the court's decision, though he had hoped for a different outcome. He also expressed hope that Thailand would remain politically stable.
What happens next?
First, a transitional government will be formed, likely under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, as reported by the "Bangkok Post". Then, the parliament must quickly elect a new prime minister. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, chairman of the Bhumjaithai Party, is considered a possible successor. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, also has chances.
The 37-year-old is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2008. Thaksin, who is no stranger to legal problems, must also return to court: he was charged with lese-majeste in June.
Strikes and Street Protests
Srettha was not very popular among the population: a majority of Thais expressed dissatisfaction with his government's performance in a June survey, citing the country's weak economic performance and high private household debt.
Thailand is once again in politically turbulent times, having experienced military coups, military governments, and democracy movement street protests in recent decades. Just last week, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) under pressure from conservative forces, alleging that the strongest opposition party was endangering the monarchy by seeking to amend the lese-majeste law. The party's former top candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, and other leading members are barred from holding political office for the next ten years.
Move Forward won the parliamentary election clearly in May 2023 but still did not come to power. After months of political turmoil, the former coalition partner Pheu Thai and their candidate Srettha ousted the party's leader Pita. He was elected prime minister in August last year and had been in office since September. The search for a new prime minister with a majority is now starting again.
The ruling by the Constitutional Court was a significant blow to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, as it led to his removal from office. Now, the Constitutional Court's decision has set the stage for the formation of a transitional government in Thailand.
