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Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, citing his appointment of a convicted minister as a breach of ethical standards. This decision, following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, underlines ongoing political instability and judicial interventions in the country read more
 "5 key reasons why Thai court removed the country’s PM")
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. File Photo
Thailand’s Constitutional Court recently removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office, leading to a new wave of political turbulence.
Here are the five key reasons behind this significant decision:
Appointment of a Convicted Minister
The court ruled that Srettha breached ethical standards by appointing Pichit Chuenban, a cabinet minister with a previous criminal conviction. This decision was central to the court’s judgement, signalling a violation of regulations.
Lack of Integrity
Judge Punya Udchachon stated that Srettha’s actions demonstrated a lack of honesty and breached ethical norms. The court concluded that the Prime Minister should have been aware of Pichit’s 2008 conviction at the time of his appointment.
Previous Court Decisions
The removal comes shortly after the Constitutional Court dissolved the Move Forward Party (MFP) and imposed a ten-year ban on its former leader from politics. This sequence of rulings underscores the court’s active role in recent political upheavals.
Political Instability
Srettha’s ousting reflects the broader issue of chronic instability in Thai politics, which has been marked by coups, street protests, and frequent court interventions. This ongoing instability is partly driven by the conflict between the military-backed establishment and progressive parties.
Impact on the Pheu Thai Party
Srettha’s removal marks the third time a Prime Minister from the Pheu Thai party has been dismissed by the Constitutional Court. This recurring issue underlines the persistent challenges faced by the party and its leader, Thaksin Shinawatra.
The dismissal of Srettha, who had been in office for less than a year, is part of a larger pattern of judicial interventions in Thai politics, reflecting the deep divisions within the country’s political landscape.
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