Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin Removed by Court
On August 14, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office. The court found that Srettha breached the constitution by appointing a former lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, who had served jail time. This decision could lead to political instability and a reconfiguration of the ruling coalition.
Srettha, a real estate mogul, became the fourth Thai prime minister in the past 16 years to be ousted by the court. His dismissal means that parliament will need to select a new prime minister, raising the possibility of increased uncertainty in a country plagued by coups and judicial decisions.
Just last week, the same court dissolved the anti-establishment Move Forward Party (MFP), a popular opposition group, ruling that its efforts to reform a law against insulting the monarchy threatened the constitutional monarchy. The MFP reformed under a new name on Friday.
Srettha’s Pheu Thai Party, along with its predecessors, has been at the center of Thailand’s political turmoil. The court’s ruling could disrupt a fragile peace between political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra and his conservative and military adversaries, which facilitated Shinawatra’s return from 15 years in exile in 2023 and Srettha’s ascent to the premiership on the same day.
Srettha defended his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who was briefly imprisoned for contempt of court in 2008 over an alleged bribery attempt, arguing that it was legitimate. The bribery claim was never substantiated, and Pichit resigned in May.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is anticipated to serve as the interim prime minister.
Doubts Revealed
Thailand -: Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, known for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples.
Prime Minister -: A Prime Minister is the head of the government in many countries, responsible for running the country and making important decisions.
Srettha Thavisin -: Srettha Thavisin is a businessman who became the Prime Minister of Thailand. He was recently removed from his position by the court.
Constitutional Court -: A Constitutional Court is a special court that deals with issues related to the constitution, the set of rules that guides how a country is governed.
Criminal record -: A criminal record is a record of someone’s past crimes. If someone has a criminal record, it means they have been found guilty of breaking the law before.
Political instability -: Political instability happens when there is a lot of uncertainty and change in the government, which can make it hard for the country to function smoothly.
Ruling coalition -: A ruling coalition is a group of different political parties that come together to form the government.
Real estate mogul -: A real estate mogul is a person who has made a lot of money by buying, selling, and managing properties like buildings and land.
Move Forward Party -: The Move Forward Party is a political group in Thailand that was popular among people who wanted change. It was recently dissolved by the court.
Deputy Prime Minister -: A Deputy Prime Minister is a person who helps the Prime Minister and can take over their duties if needed.
Phumtham Wechayachai -: Phumtham Wechayachai is a politician in Thailand who is expected to temporarily take over as Prime Minister after Srettha Thavisin was removed.