(CTN News) – On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court said that it will rule on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s removal case on August 14.
“The Constitutional Court has considered and finds the case is a legal matter and there is sufficient evidence to decide the case,” a statement from the court read.
The lawsuit against Srettha Thavisin stemmed from a complaint filed by 40 military-appointed senators in May, which was later accepted by the charter court. The case concerns the contentious appointment of politician Pichit Chuenban as a Prime Minister’s Office minister.
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The senators asked the court if Srettha Thavisin and Pichit should be removed from office under the charter’s Sections 170 (4) and (5), which address cabinet minister ethics.
Pichit was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008, along with two colleagues, for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials by sending them a paper bag with 2 million baht inside a lunch box. Critics judged him unqualified to serve as a cabinet minister.
Pichit resigned shortly before the court granted the petition, perhaps to avoid legal issues for Mr Srettha. The court has decided to hear the case against Mr Srettha, but not against Pichit, who has already stood down.
Srettha, the real estate billionaire, has denied wrongdoing and stated that the appointment was legal.
On June 7, the prime minister presented his defence to the Constitutional Court, but when asked if he may share the specifics with the media, he declined.
“This is more of a clarification. I have a duty to clarify, and I believe I’ve covered everything,” he said.
The removal of Srettha Thavisin could throw Thailand into disarray and force parliament to elect a new prime minister, potentially pitting his ruling Pheu Thai Party against coalition partners, resulting in a shakeup of the governing alliance and a realignment of cabinet and policies.
Source: Bangkok Post
