Court Removes Thailand Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, From Office
Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, has been removed from office, Neusroom gather.
The ouster follows a court ruling on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister is adjudged to have flouted the country’s consitution, one of the reasons cited for his removal.
The Constitutional Court in Bangkok pointed to the appointment of a convicted felon to the Prime Minister’s Cabinet as an ethical breach.
The split decision by the court (5-4) also saw the PM’s entire cabinet dismissed over the breach.
The legal action against Srettha Thavisin seeking his removal from office in May, was moved by a group of 40 ex senators.
The appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to six months in prison in 2008, wa stheir made bone of contention.
Chuenban was an associate of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He was convicted for trying to bribe Supreme Court officials in a high-profile land case involving Thaksin.
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While reacting to the verdict, the ousted Prime Ministersaid he had accepted the decision in good faith.
Thavisin, however, worried about his policies being continued.
The verdict now means that a new government must be formed, with the ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition set to nominate a replacement candidate for prime minister.
The nomination will be subject to the approval by the 500-member parliament.
Observers, however, note that the decision will plunge the kingdom into deeper political crisis.
