Thai Court Dismisses Prime Minister Srettha for Unconstitutionality, Cabinet Dissolved

The Thai Constitutional Court ruled that Prime Minister Srettha was unconstitutional and dismissed him with immediate effect.

On August 14, 2024, the Thai Constitutional Court ruled that Prime Minister Srettha was unconstitutional and dismissed him with immediate effect. The cabinet was also dissolved on the same day.

The reason for this incident was that in May this year, Srettha and the reorganized cabinet members were sworn in, among whom the former prime minister's advisor, Pichet, was appointed as the minister of the Prime Minister's Office. Shortly after, 40 former senators appointed by the Thai military filed a lawsuit with the Thai Constitutional Court, listing Srettha as the first defendant and Pichet as the second defendant. They believed that the Thai constitutional provision requires those holding ministerial positions to "be honest and upright" and prohibits "non-compliance with moral standards". Pichet was sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court when he tried to bribe Supreme Court officials while serving as former Prime Minister Thaksin's lawyer in 2008. Srettha appointed Pichet despite knowing this, thus violating the constitution. Although the bribery allegations Pichet faced were never proven, he resigned in May.

The Thai Constitutional Court ultimately ruled by a majority of 5 to 4 that Srettha was "dishonest" in appointing Pichet and "violated moral standards" by appointing him as the minister of the Prime Minister's Office despite knowing about his misconduct.

Srettha responded by saying he "respected the court's ruling". Although the latest ruling ended the terms of the current ministers, the ministers will remain in their positions in a caretaker capacity. The current deputy prime minister, Puttipong Punnakanta, will serve as the caretaker prime minister until the House of Representatives elects a new prime minister.

The Thai parliament will vote to elect a new prime minister on August 16. According to the list submitted by various political parties last year, the main candidates for the prime minister position include Pheu Thai Party leader and Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra; another Pheu Thai Party candidate, Chatchai Sinsiri; the candidate of the Bhumjaithai Party and the current deputy prime minister and interior minister, Anutin Charnvirakul; the leader of the Thai United Build Party and the current deputy prime minister and energy minister, Preechaphol Pongpanichakul; and the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, which is allied with the Thai military, Prayut Chan-o-cha, is also considered one of the popular candidates.