Court Removes Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin From Office For Violating Constitution

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin has been removed from office after a court ruled he had violated the constitution, in a shock decision.

The verdict comes a week after the same court dissolved the country’s popular progressive Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in last year’s election, and banned its leaders from politics for 10 years.

The Constitutional Court in Bangkok ruled Wednesday, August 14 that Srettha, a real estate tycoon and relative political newcomer, had breached ethics rules by appointing a lawyer who had served prison time to the Cabinet.

Five of the court’s 9 judges voted to dismiss Srettha and his Cabinet, ruling that the prime minister was “well aware that he appointed a person who seriously lacked moral integrity.”

A new government must now be formed, and the ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition will nominate a new candidate for prime minister, which will be voted on by the 500-seat parliament.

Speaking to reporters after the decision, Srettha said he performed his duty as prime minister as best he could and said he “accepts the verdict.” He added that he was unsure whether the next government would continue with his policies.

Over the past twenty years, dozens of lawmakers have faced bans, parties have been dissolved and prime ministers have been overthrown in coups or by court decisions

The case against Srettha was filed in May by a group of 40 military-appointed former senators, who sought to remove him from office due to the Cabinet appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a close aide to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pichit was jailed for six months in 2008 for contempt of court after trying to bribe Supreme Court officials in a land case involving Thaksin.

Srettha has denied wrongdoing and has said Pichit, who has since resigned, was properly vetted and the party followed proper procedures.