Thailand’s Constitutional Court Removes Prime Minister From Office in Shocking Ruling

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was removed from his office on Wednesday, by the nation’s Constitutional Court for violating the Asian nation’s Consitution according to the recent ruling. The court’s bombshell ruling has sent the Thai Kingdom into political chaos and uncertainty as the ruling forces a new government to be formed and a new Prime Minister to be elected. 

The same court just last week, issued another major ruling that ordered the dissolution of the Nation’s popular liberal Move Forward Party and banned all of its members from taking part in the Nation’s politics for 10 years. 

The Constitutional Court in Bangkok ruled Wednesday 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 nine 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.”

The ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition must now form a new government and nominate a new Prime Minister, which the 500-member body of Parliament will vote on. It is unknown as to when that process will begin, however, due to the magnitude of the situation, any delays in that process could be damaging to the country.   

After the court handed down the decision, Srettha met with reporters outside and said that while he respected the court’s decision, he believed that he performed the job of Prime Minister to the best of his ability. He also stated that he did not know if the ruling government that he is leaving behind would continue with his policies or policy agenda in the wake of his removal from office. 

Thailand’s political landscape is one of fragility and hard-to-navigate waters, as any attempt at change or reform is met with alleged resistance from the perceived ruling elites that are comprised of loyal royalists, military, and business executives. 

Over the past two decades, dozens of lawmakers have faced bans, parties have been dissolved and prime ministers have been overthrown in coups or by court decisions – with the judiciary playing a central role in the ongoing battle for power.

Srettha’s appointment to the top job last August ended three months of political deadlock after the 2023 elections but resulted in his Pheu Thai party entering a governing coalition with its longtime military rivals.

The charges and the case that followed against Srettha were originally brought forward by a group of 40 former senators who were appointed by the military. The push to remove Srettha was due in large part to the Cabinet appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who was a close and loyal aide to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in a 2005 coup. Thaskin is a telecoms billionaire and former owner of Manchester City Football Club and is the head of a famed political dynasty that has played a major role in Thai politics for the past two decades. 

Pichit was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 after he was found in contempt of court after trying to bribe Supreme Court officials in a land case involving Thaksin. Srettha denies any wrongdoing in this matter and has said that Pichit, who has since resigned from his post, was properly and legally vetted through the standard procedure when he was appointed. 

According to polls, Srettha has been declining in popularity for months leading up to the court’s ruling. Srettha’s priorities was to forward his economic reform agenda, which has seen major opposition and delays. However, the court’s ruling came as a shock to many, as they believed the court would side with Srettha. The now-former Prime Minister had long advocated for a 500 billion baht ($13.8 billion) digital wallet handout plan and said it would create jobs and spur spending in the country’s underdeveloped regions. However, the plan has yet to be introduced officially. Srettha also made it a priority for Thailand to bring in more foreign investment and to increase global tourism to the country, as well as expanding visa-free policies and announcing plans to host major events in a bid to boost the country’s stagnant economy.

With Srettha now out of the political picture, political negotiations and jockeying for cabinet positions, and the role of Prime Minister will begin in earnest. Thaksin’s youngest daughter and the Pheu Thai leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is seen as the likely candidate, though Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the pro-military Palang Pracharat party, who was involved in the past two coups against the Shinawatra family is also seen as a probable candidate.