Thailand’s political landscape continues to be plagued by uncertainty following the Constitutional Court’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin due to an ethics violation. This development further deepens the political crisis that has gripped the nation just a week after the dissolution of the main opposition party, Move Forward Party (MFP).
The court’s ruling on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, found that Srettha, 62, had breached regulations by appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction. Srettha’s Pheu Thai party, the electoral vehicle of former Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, is the largest member of a governing coalition comprised of 11 parties, including royalist and pro-military factions who were once its fiercest rivals.
Parliament is set to convene on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10:00 am (0300 GMT) to vote on a new Prime Minister. In the meantime, Pheu Thai will choose between two eligible candidates: former justice minister Chaikasem Nitisiri and Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as Srettha’s replacement. The party’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, has indicated that they will discuss their decision with coalition partners.
This marks the third time that a Pheu Thai Prime Minister has been ousted by the Constitutional Court, leaving Srettha with a tenure of less than a year in office. The persistent instability in Thai politics can be traced back to a two-decade-long struggle marked by military coups, street protests, and court orders, fueled largely by the deep-seated conflict between the military and pro-royalist establishment and progressive parties associated with Thaksin.
The return of Thaksin to Thailand last August after 15 years in self-exile, coinciding with Srettha’s ascent to power in an alliance with pro-military parties, seemed to suggest a temporary truce in the long-standing feud. However, the latest events indicate that the political landscape remains volatile and unpredictable.
The case against Srettha was initiated by 40 former senators appointed by the military junta that overthrew an elected Pheu Thai government in a 2014 coup. These senators played a crucial role in obstructing the MFP’s efforts to form a government following last year’s elections. Their opposition stemmed from concerns over MFP’s pledges to reform lese-majeste laws and dismantle powerful business monopolies. The senators ultimately rejected MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s candidacy for Prime Minister, forcing the party into the opposition.
Adding to the political turmoil, the top court dissolved the MFP and imposed a 10-year ban on Pita and other key officials from participating in politics. Meanwhile, Srettha faced dismissal over the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer associated with Thaksin, who had been sentenced to six months in jail in 2008 for a graft-related offense. Pichit stepped down from the cabinet after the case was filed in an attempt to salvage Srettha’s position, but the court proceeded with the case.
As Thailand navigates this tumultuous political landscape, the country’s future remains uncertain. The deep-rooted divisions and the ongoing power struggle between various factions threaten to further destabilize the nation and hinder its progress towards a more stable and democratic future.
