Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office in a ruling that has plunged the country into fresh political uncertainty.
On Wednesday, the court ruled 5-4 that Srettha breached ethical standards by appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction, branding him dishonest for the action.
The court found that Srettha violated regulations by appointing Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer with a 2008 criminal conviction, to a ministerial position. “The ministerial position of the prime minister is terminated under the constitution,” Judge Punya Udchachon declared, noting that Srettha “has no honesty and breached ethical standards.”
This ruling marked the third time that a prime minister from the Pheu Thai party has been ousted by the Constitutional Court. Srettha’s removal came less than a year after he assumed office as the head of a coalition government led by Pheu Thai, following a deal with army-linked parties.
Srettha expressed sadness over the court’s decision but stated that he would respect the ruling. “I respect the verdict. I reiterate that for the almost one year I have been in this role, I have tried with good intentions to lead the country with honesty,” Srettha told reporters outside his office.
The ruling also followed a week of political upheaval in Thailand, during which the same court dissolved the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and banned its former leader from politics for ten years. The court’s decisions have further highlighted the deep divisions within Thai politics, particularly between the conservative, pro-royalist establishment and progressive parties like Pheu Thai and MFP.
Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, condemned the court’s decision, stating, “Thailand’s dark era of destroying democracy through unaccountable rulings of the conservative, elite-controlled Constitutional Court continues with the dismissal of PM Srettha Thavisin. The absurdity is palpable! Watch foreign investors head for exits.”
The case against Srettha was initiated by 40 senators appointed by the military junta that had ousted the elected Pheu Thai government in a 2014 coup. One of the senators who brought the case, Somchai Swangkarn, expressed satisfaction with the court’s verdict, saying, “We merely did our job. I believe Thai politics can still continue as normal.”
Pheu Thai issued a statement vowing to continue its work despite the setback, stating, “This is not the first time that Pheu Thai is facing an obstruction. But we will continue working non-stop. Every time when we fall, we will move forward and get back with more security, for the better lives of Thai people.”
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has been appointed as caretaker prime minister until parliament meets to select a permanent replacement for Srettha.
