Thailand Prime Minister Removed from Office Over Ethical Violation
A court in Thailand made a significant decision on Wednesday by removing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office due to an ethical violation. This move has further shaken up Thai politics, especially after the recent court-ordered dissolution of the main opposition party.
The ruling against Srettha stemmed from his appointment of a Cabinet member who had previously been imprisoned for attempting to bribe a court official. The Constitutional Court voted 5:4 against Srettha, resulting in his immediate removal from office.
Until a new prime minister is approved by Parliament, the Cabinet will continue to serve on a caretaker basis with no set time frame for the appointment process. Srettha’s appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a minister came under scrutiny, given Pichit’s past legal troubles involving an attempt to bribe a judge.
Although Pichit had served his jail term, the Supreme Court ruled his behavior as dishonest. The court held Srettha responsible for nominating Pichit as a Cabinet member despite being aware of his past, thereby violating ethical codes.
The petition against Srettha was believed to be a political move favoring a pro-military party within his coalition government. Thailand’s courts, particularly the Constitutional Court, are often seen as instruments used by the royalist establishment to suppress political opponents.
Srettha had assumed office in August the previous year, following a contentious election process. The recent dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which later regrouped as the People’s Party, adds another layer to Thailand’s politically charged landscape.
Overall, the unfolding events in Thai politics underscore the ongoing power struggles and complex dynamics within the country’s political system.
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