The Constitutional Court found the last prime minister to have violated ethical rules. The human rights organization says the Constitutional Court is destroying Thailand’s democracy with its decisions.
Prime Minister of Thailand By Srettha Thavis has been fired from his post because he appointed a person convicted of a crime as a minister.
The country’s Constitutional Court ruled by a vote of 5-4 that Sretha had violated the ethical rules. According to the court, Srettha must have been an informed advocate Pichit Chuenban for the fraud conviction he received in 2008 when he appointed him to his board.
Srettha, 62, who represents the Pheu Thai party, managed to be prime minister for almost a year.
– I am sorry for the decision, but I am not saying that I disagree with the decision, Srettha commented shortly after the court’s decision.
The decision is final.
Parliament announced that it will meet on Friday to elect a new prime minister. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai performs the duty of the acting prime minister until a new successor is elected.
Political instability continues
Throughout the 2000s, Thailand has suffered from political instability, coups and ousted prime ministers. Thai politics has been characterized by a long-standing tug-of-war between progressive parties and a conservative power elite supported by the military.
Srettha is the third prime minister in Thailand who has been dismissed by the same constitutional court in 16 years, news reports BBC.
Last week, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the largest opposition party, the progressive MFP, and banned its leaders from politics for 10 years.
In last year’s elections, MFP won the most seats in parliament, but was unable to form a government coalition.
The Constitutional Court’s decision has received criticism from human rights organizations. Deputy Director for Asia at Human Rights Watch Phil Robertson condemned the decision to dismiss the prime minister. Robertson said the Constitutional Court is a body controlled by the country’s conservative elite, whose decisions are destroying Thailand’s democracy.
Source: Reuters