Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was accused of violating constitutional ethics rules by appointing a minister who had been sentenced to prison in 2008. The judges voted 5-4 to “terminate” Srettha Thavisin’s position, Judge Punya Udchachon said as he read out the decision.
“I respect the decision. I repeat that during almost a year in this position, I have done my best to lead the country honestly,” Srettha Thavisin told reporters from the government headquarters in Bangkok.
A new upheaval is looming in the kingdom, a week after the dissolution of the main opposition party and the 10-year banishment of its leader Pita Limjaroenrat, pronounced by the same judges. This decision marked a setback for democratic freedoms in Thailand, denounced the UN, Washington and human rights groups.
A country undermined by instability
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has a long history of instability and military and judicial interference in the political system, but observers now expect Srettha Thavisin to remain in power.
Srettha Thavisin is accused of violating ethical rules set out in the constitution by appointing Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 in a corruption case, as a minister. The constitution, which came into force in 2017, states that a minister must have “evident integrity” and an attitude that is not contrary to “ethical standards.”