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Snapshot 5:Wed, Aug 14, 2024 9:25:48 PM GMT last edited by ArthursSeat22

Thai Court Unseats PM for Violating Constitution

Thai Court Unseats PM for Violating Constitution

Above: Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin greets the press while the Prime Ministerial vote in Parliament is being held at Pheu Thai Party's headquarters on August 22, 2023 Image copyright: Qian Jun/MB Media/Contributor/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

The Facts

  • 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.In a 5-4 ruling, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted Wednesday to remove Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin from his office over ethics violations concerning his appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chueban as cabinet minister.

  • 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 that he was fit to continue.

Recent decisions by Thailand's Constitutional Court hashave 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 to be truly represented.


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