BANGKOK: On Wednesday, August 14, Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for designating a former jail-served lawyer to his Cabinet, raising the possibility of further political unrest and a breakup of the ruling coalition.
As she read the decision, Judge Punya Udchachon stated that a vote of five to four decided Srettha’s removal from office.
Real estate mogul Srettha was declared to have violated the constitution by appointing a minister who did not adhere to ethical standards, making him the fourth Thai premier to be removed by the same court’s rulings in 16 years.
Following Srettha’s ouster from office less than a year into her term, parliament must meet to select a new prime minister, raising the possibility of further unrest in a nation plagued for twenty years by court decisions and coups that have toppled numerous governments and political parties. The ruling coalition, led by Pheu Thai, will convene on Thursday at 10 a.m. local time to choose a candidate.
A candidate for prime minister must secure the backing of more than half of the lower house, which consists of 493 members, under parliamentary rules.
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