Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing a former lawyer with a criminal record to his cabinet, a decision that raises the possibility of renewed political instability in the country.
The Constitutional Court voted 5 to 4 to remove Srettha Thavisin from his position as Prime Minister. The ruling followed Srettha’s appointment of Pichit Chuenban as Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. Pichit, a former lawyer for the Shinawatra family, had previously served jail time for contempt of court in 2008, linked to an alleged attempt to bribe court staff. Although the bribery allegation was never proven, the Constitutional Court found Srettha’s appointment of Pichit violated ethical standards stipulated in the Constitution, leading to the Prime Minister’s removal.
The court’s decision marks the fourth time in 16 years that a Thai premier has been ousted by the Constitutional Court for constitutional violations. This latest ruling necessitates that parliament reconvene to select a new prime minister, adding to the uncertainty in a nation that has seen two decades of political turbulence, including coups and judicial interventions that have unseated multiple governments.
The dismissal of Srettha follows the court’s decision last week to dissolve the anti-establishment Move Forward Party, citing concerns over its campaign to reform a law protecting the monarchy. The dissolution has left the opposition regrouping under a new party, further contributing to the country’s political volatility.
Srettha’s removal also poses challenges for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, historically aligned with the Shinawatra family. The party has been at the center of Thailand’s political strife, with previous governments led by the Shinawatra family ousted by military coups. The court’s decision threatens to unsettle the fragile détente between former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his adversaries in the conservative establishment and military, a truce that had allowed Thaksin’s return from self-imposed exile and Srettha’s rise to power.
Political analysts suggest that despite Srettha’s ouster, Pheu Thai may still retain enough influence to lead the next administration, though the process is expected to involve extensive negotiations and could prolong the current political uncertainty. Among the potential candidates for the premiership is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and current leader of Pheu Thai. If selected, she would become Thailand’s third Shinawatra prime minister.
Other contenders include Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and Prawit Wongsuwan, a former army chief with significant political influence. The new prime minister must be chosen from among those nominated by their parties prior to the 2023 election, a requirement that further narrows the field of candidates.
The court’s ruling comes as Thailand’s economy struggles, with weak exports, sluggish consumer spending, and high household debt contributing to a forecasted growth rate of just 2.7% for 2024. The country has also experienced one of Asia’s worst-performing stock markets this year.
It was reported that the Constitutional Court’s decision has drawn attention to the potential return of the Shinawatra family to Thailand’s political forefront, with speculation about Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s role in leading the party forward. Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjai Thai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul is also considered a strong candidate for the premiership due to his close relationship with Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Pheu Thai.
In the wake of Srettha’s removal, parliament will now be tasked with selecting a new prime minister from among the coalition parties’ candidates, including Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Chaikasem Nitisiri of Pheu Thai, Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjai Thai, Prawit Wongsuwan of Palang Pracharath, and Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak of Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party.