National —
In a groundbreaking development, the Thai Prime Minister, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, has been removed from his prime ministerial post by the Thai Constitutional Court on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024.
The court ruled 5-4 today that Mr. Srettha has breached the constitution by appointing Mr. Pichit Chuenban as Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. The verdict was delivered against the real estate tycoon, despite Mr. Pichit’s resignation from the position in May 2024.
According to reports, the court deemed that Mr. Srettha failed to act in accordance with the principles of integrity and honesty required for the office as he was “well aware that Mr. Pichit seriously lacked moral integrity.”
Mr. Pichit had previously been convicted over an alleged attempt to bribe a Supreme Court’s clerk in 2008. He was sentenced to six months in prison and subsequently removed from his government position.
In his rebuttal, Mr. Srettha argued that he lacked knowledge about the rules for ministerial appointments. Nonetheless, the court rejected this defense, emphasizing that Mr. Pichit’s case was well-known, and he, as the prime minister, has the responsibility of vetting for ministerial candidates. Consequently, Mr. Srettha was removed from office, despite having served as Prime Minister for less than a year.
With Mr. Srettha’s removal, his entire cabinet will expectedly be dissolved soon. This verdict will also trigger a major political reshuffle within Thailand and opens the door for the appointment of a new prime minister. Two of the main potential candidates at the time of publishing include Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the main government party Pheu Thai, and Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the second-largest government party, Bhumjaithai.
Mr. Srettha revealed after the verdict that he respected the ruling and that he now has no authority left but has no issues with anyone.
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai will expectedly serve as acting prime minister until a new PM is selected by the House of Representatives in the near future, without a specific date announced.
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