Thai Constitutional Court dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

Thailand's top Constitutional Court has dismissed the country's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, from office for violating ethics. In a 5-4 majority ruling delivered on 14 August 2024, the Court held the Prime Minister guilty of violating ethics by appointing a minister-Pichit Chuenban, who had served a jail sentence. After the verdict, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin resigned from his post.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is the fourth Prime Minister of Thailand in the past 16 years to be removed from office by a verdict of Thailand’s Constitutional Court.

Srettha Thavsin became the prime minister in August 2023 after the May general election. His party Pheu Thai party, emerged as the second largest party in the election. He formed a coalition of 11 parties to form the government.

What was the Case?

Pichit Chuenban was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office by Srettha Thavsin in April 2024. However, he resigned within weeks after his appointment became controversial. 

In 2008, Pichit Chuenban was found guilty of contempt of court for trying to bribe a judge in a case involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and was sentenced to six months in jail.

The Constitutional Court, in its ruling, held that though Pichit had already served his jail term, his behaviour was dishonest.   

The Court said that   Srettha Thavisin was aware of Pichit’s past conduct and still appointed him minister. Thus, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin violated ethical norms, and the Court ordered him to resign.

What's Next in Thailand? 

The Cabinet will remain in place and function as a caretaker cabinet until a new Prime Minister is approved by the Parliament of Thailand.

The Parliament of Thailand is bicameral, consisting of a 500-member House of Representatives (lower house) and a 250-member Senate (upper house). 

A prime ministerial candidate has to be approved by both houses of the Parliament.

There is no time limit for the Parliament to elect a new Prime Minister.

Court System in Thailand 

Thailand has four types of courts -the Constitutional Court, the Administrative Court, the Courts of Justice and the Military Court. All these courts are independent and have different powers and functions.

The Constitutional Court is responsible for protecting the Constitution, safeguarding the people's rights and liberties, and maintaining the democratic regime of government in Thailand, with the King as Head of State.

The Constitutional Court adjudicates laws to protect the principle of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and to recognise and safeguard the rights and liberties of the people. 

Kingdom of Thailand 

The Kingdom of Thailand, formerly known as  Siam, is famous as the land of ‘white elephants’.

It is located in South-East Asia.

Elephant is the national animal of Thailand.

Thailand was never a colony of any European power in its modern history.  

Currency: Baht

Capital: Bangkok 

King : Vajiralongkorn