Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been dismissed from office following a ruling by the Thai Constitutional Court. The court found him guilty of a gross violation of ethics for appointing ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister, leading to the termination of his position and the entire cabinet.
Key Takeaways
- Court Ruling: The Thai Constitutional Court ruled against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, leading to his dismissal.
- Ethics Violation: The ruling was based on the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a convicted ex-lawyer, as a cabinet minister.
- Cabinet Dismissal: The entire cabinet must step down, but will serve in a caretaker capacity.
- Acting Prime Minister: Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will serve as acting prime minister until a new premier is selected.
- Market Reaction: The Stock Exchange of Thailand index dropped 17 points during the ruling but recovered slightly by the end of the day.
Court’s Decision and Its Implications
The Constitutional Court’s decision was based on the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who was convicted of bribery in 2008. Pichit had served a six-month prison sentence for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials. His appointment as a cabinet minister was deemed a gross violation of ethics, leading to the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his entire cabinet.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will serve as the acting prime minister until a new premier is selected by the House of Representatives. If Phumtham is unable to assume the role, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over.
Market Reaction
The Stock Exchange of Thailand index experienced a significant drop of 17 points as the ruling was being read. However, it managed to recover slightly, finishing the day at 1,292.65, down 5.10 points from the previous day.
Future Administration and Policies
The future administration will be responsible for determining key government policies, including the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, the Land Bridge initiative, and various soft power projects. Despite his dismissal, Srettha expressed his desire to continue contributing to the nation in other roles.
Next Steps for Selecting a New Prime Minister
The process of selecting a new prime minister will involve the House of Representatives voting on candidates from the list submitted prior to the May 2023 election. The candidate needs the backing of more than half of the current 493 lawmakers, or 247 votes, to become the new prime minister. If no candidate secures the required votes, the House will meet again to repeat the voting process.
Potential Candidates
The main candidates for the premier’s position include:
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra: Leader of the Pheu Thai Party, though her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, has reservations about her taking on the role.
- Chaikasem Nitisiri: Former justice minister and Pheu Thai stalwart, though age and health issues may rule him out.
- Anutin Charnvirakul: Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Bhumjaithai Party, seen as a compromise candidate.
- Pirapan Salirathavibhaga: Energy Minister and leader of the conservative Thai Raksa Chart Party.
- Gen Prawit Wongsuwon: Head of the military-aligned Palang Pracharath Party, involved in previous coups against Shinawatra-led governments.
The Speaker will convene parliament to vote for the next premier, and the process may involve significant political maneuvering and negotiations among parties.
Sources
- Bangkok Post – Srettha dismissed as PM after court ruling, Bangkok Post.
- Thai Constitutional Court to Deliver Ruling on PM Srettha Thavisins Impeachment Tomorrow – The Pattaya News, The Pattaya News.
