Constitutional Court Ousts Thai Prime Minister From Position

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was ousted by Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday for violating an ethics code by appointing a cabinet minister who had a criminal record.

Last week, the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward, which received almost 38 percent of the votes in Thailand’s general election in May 2023, due to its plans to revise the country’s lèse-majesté laws.

Srettha, from the Pheu Thai party, became prime minister in August 2023 after coming second in the election with 29 percent of the vote.

Thaksin Returns After 15 Years in Exile

Shortly after Srettha took office, Thaksin Shinawatra, a controversial tycoon and former prime minister, returned to Thailand following years of self-imposed exile.

In April this year, Pichit Chuenban was appointed to Srettha’s cabinet after a reshuffle.

Pichit, who had previously represented Thaksin and his wife, was imprisoned in 2008 for attempting to bribe a judge.

Despite resigning from the cabinet, the Constitutional Court found Srettha responsible for appointing him, leading to his removal from office.

The current government will continue to function with Deputy Premier Phumtham Wechayachai serving as acting prime minister until a permanent replacement is approved by parliament.

To become the new prime minister, a candidate must gather more than half of the lower house’s 493 members’ support.

Who Could Be Next Prime Minister?

Possible candidates include Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, former Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the leader of the Thai Raksa Chart party among others.

Thailand has been divided between conservatives and progressives for the past 23 years, following Thaksin’s election in 2001.

After a period of military rule, the country has seen several political changes, with different factions vying for power.