Thai Court Unseats PM for Violating Constitution
Thai Court DismissesUnseats PM for Violating Constitution
The Facts
Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled by a 5-4 majority vote to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from his office for a violation of ethics after the appointment of Pichit Chueban to the country's cabinet.In a 5-4 ruling, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted Wednesday to remove Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin from his office for ethics violations over his appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chueban as cabinet minister.
Pichit was jailed in 2008 for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials, and was appointed to Srettha's cabinet in April this year. A petition by 40 Senators consequently accused the PM's appointment of breaching the office's ethical standards.Pichit was jailed in 2008 for trying to bribe Supreme Court officials, and was appointed to Srettha's cabinet in April this year. A petition by 40 senators consequently accused the appointment of breaching the office's ethical standards.
The Spin
The court's decision to remove Srettha is a surprise to many who expected the former PM to be declared innocent after a minor wrongdoing. It is likely that, after an underwhelming start to his premiership and a stuttering economy, the political novice did not achieve enough to prove himself fit to continue to the country's royal establishment.
Recent decisions by Thailand's Constitutional Court has once again exposed a great power imbalance rooted deep within the State. With Thailand now possessing neither a government nor an opposition, it is clearer than ever that the Constitutional Court's influence over the country must be limited if the interests of the people are ever to be truly represented by a fair political system.