Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office for breaching ethical standards by appointing a former lawyer with a criminal record to his cabinet.
The court ruled that Srettha’s actions displayed “defiant behavior” and violated “rules on ethics.”
At 62 years old, Srettha, who has been in power for less than a year, is the third prime minister in 16 years to be dismissed by the court.
An interim leader will be appointed until Thailand’s parliament elects a new prime minister.
In a press conference following the ruling, Srettha expressed regret but stood by his integrity, stating, “I’m confident in my honesty … I feel sorry, but I’m not saying I disagree with the ruling.”
The court’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
This dismissal highlights the ongoing influence of Thailand’s Constitutional Court in political affairs.
While corruption and ethical breaches have plagued Thai politics, the court’s decisions often reflect political maneuvering rather than consistent ethical standards.
The court’s ruling came after a petition from about 40 senators, who sought Srettha’s removal over his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer previously jailed for attempted bribery.
Despite Chuenban’s brief tenure of just 19 days, the court found that the appointment violated ethical norms.
The process of electing a new prime minister will likely involve intense political negotiations, as Thailand grapples with a struggling economy.
The political landscape, marked by frequent upheavals and military coups, has yet to stabilize.
Srettha’s rise to power in August 2023 marked the end of nine years of military dominance, but his tenure was marred by political controversies and conflicts.
The court’s recent dissolution of the Move Forward party, which had won the most seats in the last election but was blocked from forming a government, underscores the ongoing political volatility in Thailand.
