Thailand Prime Minister Removed From Office By Court

Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister of Thailand, was unexpectedly dismissed from office when a court found that he had broken the constitution.

The country’s well-liked progressive Move Forward Party, which secured the most seats in the previous election, was disbanded by the same court a week before to this ruling, and its leaders were barred from politics for ten years.

On Wednesday, August 14, the Constitutional Court in Bangkok declared that Srettha, a real estate magnate and relative political novice, had violated ethical standards by designating a lawyer with a criminal record to the Cabinet.

Five of the court’s 9 judges voted to dismiss Srettha and his Cabinet, ruling that the prime minister was “well aware that he appointed a person who seriously lacked moral integrity.”

The 500-seat parliament will vote on the new prime minister nominee put forth by the ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition. A new government must now be formed.

Srettha told reporters that he “accepts the verdict” and that he “did his responsibility as prime minister as best he could once the decision was made. He went on to say that he had doubts the future government would carry out his policies.

In the last twenty years, judicial rulings or coups have resulted in the removal of prime ministers, parties have been disbanded, and scores of MPs have faced bans.

A group of forty former senators chosen by the military filed a lawsuit against Srettha in May, attempting to force him out of office over the selection of Pichit Chuenban, a close ally to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to the Cabinet.

When Pichit attempted to bribe Supreme Court officials in a land matter involving Thaksin, he was sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court in 2008.

Srettha has denied any misconduct and stated that the party adhered to the correct protocols with Pichit, who has now resigned, put through thorough screening.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli