Analysis Thailand Faces Political Turmoil after Srettha Thavisin's Exit

[webfact]

 

In a sudden twist, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been ousted following a Constitutional Court ruling. Srettha, who had been the Thailand's 30th Prime Minister, stood accused of making an ethically dubious appointment, leading to a shocking verdict: his tenure was over.

 

The controversy centred on Srettha's appointment of Phichit Chuenban as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Political experts initially believed the allegations wouldn't shake his position. However, the Constitutional Court, in a 5-4 decision, determined that Srettha either knew or should have known about Phichit's ineligibility, thus breaching ethical standards.

 

The verdict handed down by Justices Panya Udchachon, Udom Sithiwirattham, Wirun Saengthian, Jiraniti Hawanont, and Banjongsak Wongprach came as a shock to many. The dissenting voices included Judges Nakharin Mektrairat, Napadon Theppithak, Udom Rathamarit, and Sumeth Roikulcharoen.

 

Srettha accepted the ruling with deep regret, acknowledging the damage to his reputation and the unfinished business he leaves behind. His abrupt exit has thrown the political landscape into disarray, leading to immediate speculation about his successor, reported Thai Rath.

 

The Pheu Thai Party, which held a leadership role in the government, is determined to maintain its grip on power. Meanwhile, rival factions within Bhumjaithai and Palang Pracharath parties are manoeuvring for a possible takeover, eyeing ministerial seats and broader influence.

 

Complicating matters, the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, initially expected in late summer, is now urgently required. The government’s operations are near-paralysed, needing a swift appointment of a new PM to restore order.

 

Pheu Thai's challenge now is to smoothly transition the leadership without losing credibility. Potential successors from Pheu Thai, such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, are being considered to maintain continuity of policies like the digital wallet initiative.

 

Meanwhile, coalition partners seek to maximise their gains from the power vacuum, negotiating for key ministerial positions. Notably, Bhumjaithai has taken a strategic stance, opposing controversial projects like the casino initiative, possibly to secure a favourable position within the new political order.

 

Despite the chaos, Pheu Thai must ensure the PM role remains within the party to avoid a significant blow to their popularity. On the other side, the Move Forward Party watches intently from opposition benches, preparing for what they hope will be a clearer path to victory in the next election.

 

TOP picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-08-15

 

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[ikke1959]

And gone is the same sex marriage bill and the digital wallet.. it was to be expected as the same sex marriage bill is not published yet...and the Digital Wallet is ma burden for the country.. But what will the people do and accept everything? The winners of the elections are dissolved, the government is now dissolved untill a new PM and will the old guard take over?? Prawit, Anutin or even Prayuth??? Or will it be again a Shinawatra one??   O my God what for a country is this, where the EC and the CC have more power than the Government?? They should be dissolved too

[Tropicalevo]

Clever timing by the Constitutional Court.

Disband the only opposition party and then sack the PM a week later so there is no real opposition during the vote.

The vote is already a stitch up - anyone except Anutin pleeese,

Edited August 15 by Tropicalevo

[mikebell]

'Thailand Faces Political Turmoil'.  I doubt it; the Thai powerbrokers are used to it.  It's been on the cards since Thaksin was allowed back in.

[Zack61]

The burning question.
Does Thailand still have, as their claim to fame, Asia’s tallest head of state?

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

So has ganja been saved?

 

 

[spidermike007]

This is a fairly nonsensical argument since the government was already in a state of disarray, nobody knew who was really pulling the strings, and we still don't know. Nobody knows why he was dismissed, and it's likely we will never know.

 

One thing that's peculiar is that the army and higher powers likely approved the dismissal of Pita, and the approval of PT and the appointment of Srettha as a puppet. And they're likely still in control, so what exactly happened?

 

Did wide open visa policy create too much competition for their mafias? 

[hotchilli]

Thailand Faces Political Turmoil after Srettha Thavisin's Exit

It's perpetually in turmoil.

[ourmanflint]

How fortunate for the ruling classes that MFP were dissolved just before Srettha dismissed

[Skeptic7]

"Thailand Faces Political Turmoil"  

 

Thailand Faces (continued) Political Turmoil 

[GreasyFingers]

It is al the Chinese fault. Who said " may you live in interesting times"

[kingstonkid]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a fairly nonsensical argument since the government was already in a state of disarray, nobody knew who was really pulling the strings, and we still don't know. Nobody knows why he was dismissed, and it's likely we will never know.

 

One thing that's peculiar is that the army and higher powers likely approved the dismissal of Pita, and the approval of PT and the appointment of Srettha as a puppet. And they're likely still in control, so what exactly happened?

 

Did wide open visa policy create too much competition for their mafias? 

 

This may have been a nudge to remind Thaksin to stay in his place.  

 

There is also a lot of turmoil and control issues.  I think that the Powers That Be needed to remind Thaksin and the PTP that they were only in power because the military and elites wanted them.  I also think that Sretha was never going to be a long-term PM.  He was the puppet to make people happy and satisfied about Pita getting the boot.  

 

Now, with BJT controlling the senate, Anutin and the PTB have their cushion back.

 

The smart thing for the PTP would be to talk to the new People's Party, dissolve the coalition, and send the country back to the elections.

 

While things may not change a whole lot, they will change.  No matter who wins, they are still going to have to deal with the PTB in the Senate; therefore, while they can pass legislation about Ganja, 10K and LM, the chances of any of it getting through the Senate are nill.  

 

I give PTP a few months until the BJT has full power and the people are back at the polling booths.

[RichardColeman]

Any other country the currency would drop - so expect a 5% drop of all your currencies against the baht 

[KannikaP]

I read that the Constitutional Court voted 5 to 4 to get the government out.

Why should the one court member who tipped the balance not be the next PM?