Court removes Prime Minister Srettha from office in another ruling shaking up Thailand's politics

BANGKOK : Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office on Wednesday for an ethical violation, shaking up Thai politics after ordering the dissolution of the main opposition party a week earlier.

The 5-4 decision ousted Srettha from office immediately over a case involving his appointment of a Cabinet member who was imprisoned in connection with an alleged bribery attempt.

The Cabinet will serve as a caretaker until Parliament appoints a new Prime Minister. The vote is slated for Friday, but there is no time limit to fill the job. The caretaker Cabinet might potentially dissolve Parliament and hold new elections.

Srettha stated that he appreciated the decision and that he always tried to act ethically during his less than a year in office. "I'm sorry that I'd be considered as a prime minister who's unethical, but I'd like to insist that I believe that is not who I am," stated the premier.

Phumtham Wechayachai of Srettha's Pheu Thai party, who serves as first deputy prime minister and commerce minister, is set to become interim prime minister.

The progressive Move Forward Party, which won last year's general election, was dissolved last week by the Constitutional Court after it proposed a revision to a rule prohibiting defamation of the country's royal family. The party has already reformed as the People's Party.

The petition against Srettha was initiated by former members of the military-installed Senate who had refused to approve Move Forward’s prime ministerial candidate when the party was attempting to form a government after its election victory. It was seen as a move favoring a pro-military political party in his coalition government.