BANGKOK — Srettha Thavisin was unable to complete one year as Prime Minister when the Constitutional Court ruled 5:4 to terminate his premiership, following a severe ethical violation.
The case involved appointing Pichit Chuenbaan as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, despite knowing he was disqualified. Pichit had been charged in the past for attempted bribery of a court official. This action demonstrated a lack of integrity, which is a required qualification for the position.
Srettha later stated that he respects the court’s ruling, but regretted being branded as a Prime Minister lacking in ethics. ‘That’s not who I am,’ he said.
“Throughout my time working in this position, I did my best. I had no conflicts with anyone,” said Srettha, who held the position of 30th Prime Minister for 358 days.
He revealed that First Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is trying to find a flight back from Kazakhstan. If necessary, there’s also the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit. He also stated that from now on, whether it’s the Digital Wallet project, the Land Bridge, or Soft Power, the work will be the responsibility of the acting Prime Minister or the new Prime Minister.
“I’ll say frankly that there’s no hidden meaning here. I accept the parliamentary process. I no longer wish to comment on politics. I can’t leave a message for the new Prime Minister because I shouldn’t pressure the next Prime Minister. I think all those on the list of Prime Minister candidates have their own strengths, notable points, and weaknesses. As for myself, I would like to help the country in other roles,” he said.
From this point forward, the House of Representatives will convene to vote on approving a new Prime Minister candidate. Those who are in the current government coalition include: Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the Pheu Thai Party, Chaikasem Nitisiri from the Pheu Thai Party, Anutin Charnvirakul from the Bhumjaithai Party, General Prawit Wongsuwan from the Palang Pracharath Party, and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga from the United Thai Nation Party.
As for General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, although he is also a candidate of the United Thai Nation Party, he currently holds the position of Privy Councillor.
Timeline of the Case
On April 28, 2024 PM Srettha appointed Pichit Chuenban as Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office in the cabinet reshuffle.
On May 15, 40 senators appointed by the military government jointly petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule on the termination of Srettha’s and Pichit’s positions.
On May 21, Pichit submitted his resignation as Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, citing the reason as not wanting to affect the Prime Minister’s administration that needs to move forward continuously.
On May 23, the Constitutional Court voted 6 to 3 to accept the petition from the 40 senators for consideration regarding Srettha’s premiership. However, he was not required to suspend his duties and was given 15 days to submit a clarification to the court. As for Pichit’s case, since he had already resigned, the court ordered not to accept the petition.
Two days later, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra criticized the movement of the 40 senators, suggesting it was backed by the “Baan Pa person,” which people understood to refer to Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, owner of the Baan Pa Roi Tor Foundation. However, PM Srettha said in an interview that there should be no implication of Gen. Prawit because the Palang Pracharath Party is part of the government coalition.
On May 30, PM Srettha signed an order appointing Wissanu Krea-ngam, an important legal expert for many prime ministers, as chief government legal advisor on law and bureaucratic regulations. He then submitted additional evidence to the Constitutional Court on July 4. The court considered the case again on July 24 and scheduled the ruling for 3:00 p.m. on August 14.
On August 14, the Constitutional Court ruled 5 versus 4 that PM Srettha was dishonest in having appointed Pichit as PM Office Minister despite Pichit having been charged in the past for attempted bribery of a court official.
The Court stated that the appointment of Mr. Pichit demonstrates prioritizing personal interests over public interests.
The Associated Press, a U.S. news agency, reports that Thailand’s courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are considered a bulwark of the country’s royalist establishment. This establishment has used the courts and nominally independent state agencies, such as the Election Commission, to issue rulings that cripple or sink political opponents.
Srettha became prime minister in August last year, despite his Pheu Thai party finishing second in the general election. After Move Forward was denied power by the Senate whose term ended in May, Pheu Thai — then the biggest partner of Move Forward — excluded it from the coalition and joined hands with parties affiliated with the previous military-controlled government to gather enough support from other parties and the Senate to approve a new prime minister.
The Constitutional Court last week ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party — which won the most seats in the 2023 election but failed to take power — over an accusation that the party violated the constitution by proposing an amendment to a law against defaming the country’s royal family. The party has already regrouped as the People’s Party.
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