Bangkok, Aug 14 (EFE).- Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was on Wednesday dismissed from his position by the Constitutional Court for violation of ethical standards over his appointment of a cabinet minister with a prior criminal record.
The 5-4 vote dropped the hammer on a case centered on Srettha’s April appointment of former lawyer Pichit Chuenban, who in 2008 was sentenced to six months in prison for attempted bribery of Supreme Court officials while acting as lawyer to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The court case came after a petition was filed in May by 40 military-appointed former senators claiming that the 62-year-old PM knowingly violated the constitution by giving Pichit a cabinet post. Srettha denied wrongdoing and Pichit resigned from his role.
A judge on Wednesday said the court did not accept the explanation that the prime minister did not have enough experience to know the move was not in accordance with the law.
Although he was not in court for the verdict, Srettha told reporters afterwards that he accepted the decision.
“Throughout my time in office, I have tried to do everything correctly and believe that I have not been a prime minister lacking in ethics,” he said.
“Even though the court’s decision may not align with what I hoped for, it is inappropriate to speak out against it (…) I am committed to working honestly and without conflict with anyone. I am confident that I am a person of integrity.”
The ruling threatens to throw the country into fresh political turmoil as not only is Srettha, from the Pheu Thai Party, dismissed from the premiership, but his cabinet is also now out of office.
Deputy prime minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is expected to serve as caretaker PM until parliament votes for a new premier out of those submitted to the Election Commission ahead of the last election.
Thaksin’s 37-year-old daughter and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra is one of those in the running, as is fellow party member and former attorney general Chaikasem Nitisiri, interior minister and deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul (Bhumjaithai), Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga (United Thai Nation), Prawit Wongsuwon (Palang Pracharath) and others.
All PM candidates are “well-prepared and have their strengths,” Srettha said.
The property tycoon came to power nearly a year ago after a turbulent coalition formation between his Pheu Thai Party and several smaller parties, including some linked to the former military regime.
Wednesday’s ruling comes just a week after the same court dissolved the largest opposition party, the progressive Move Forward, which won last year’s election by a landslide, and banned its leaders from politics for 10 years.The move sparked widespread international criticism for what is regarded as “judicialization” of politics. EFE
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