Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin Removed from Office by Thailand's Constitutional Court

Thailand’s political landscape has been thrown into further turmoil following the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. The court's decision, passed by a narrow 5-4 vote, comes on the heels of the controversial dissolution of the main opposition party, Move Forward, last week.

The court found Srettha guilty of an ethical violation related to his appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a Cabinet member earlier this year. Pichit, a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, had previously served a jail term in 2008 for attempting to bribe a judge. Despite Pichit’s resignation weeks after his appointment, the court ruled that Srettha had violated the Constitution by nominating someone with a known history of unethical behavior, holding him solely responsible for the vetting process.

In his response to the verdict, Srettha, who has been in office for less than a year, expressed his disappointment but maintained his belief in his ethical conduct throughout his tenure. “I’m sorry that I’d be considered as a prime minister who’s unethical, but I’d like to insist that I believe that is not who I am,” he stated.

The removal of Srettha adds to the already volatile political atmosphere in Thailand, where the judiciary and independent state agencies have often been accused of favoring the royalist establishment. The Constitutional Court’s recent decisions, including the dissolution of the Move Forward Party for its stance on the royal defamation law, have sparked widespread debate about the state of democracy in the country.

With Srettha’s removal, the acting prime minister is expected to be Phumtham Wechayachai, a senior member of the Pheu Thai party. The caretaker government will remain in place until Parliament approves a new prime minister, a process that could take an indefinite amount of time. Among the potential candidates are Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party.

The political upheaval follows the formation of Srettha's government last year, which emerged after Pheu Thai, despite finishing second in the general election, managed to form a coalition by excluding Move Forward and allying with pro-military parties. Srettha, a former real estate executive, had prioritized economic stimulation and the promotion of Thai cultural products during his short-lived tenure.

As Thailand awaits the appointment of a new prime minister, the country remains on edge, with the prospect of fresh elections and further political instability looming large.