PM Paetongtarn Faces Legal Battle Over Advisor Appointments

[webfact]

FILE - Leader of Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, talks to reporters during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the influential Pheu Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, is embroiled in a new legal skirmish aimed at her removal from office. The controversy stems from appointing Nattawut Saikua and Surapong Suebwonglee, both of whom have previous criminal convictions, to advisory roles.

 

Today, Palang Pracharath's Ruangkrai Leekitwatana lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that Paetongtarn breached political ethics with these appointments.

Nattawut, a former cabinet member and leader of the Red Shirt movement supporting Pheu Thai, and Surapong, who previously served as deputy prime minister and finance minister, both have histories of criminal convictions, making their appointments contentious.

 

Ruangkrai's complaint draws parallels with the recent ousting of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was removed for appointing Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer with a criminal record, as a minister.

 

The activist insists that Paetongtarn’s actions mirror this breach and has urged the Election Commission to quickly appeal to the Constitutional Court to suspend her from her duties pending a final judgement.

 

Surapong Suebwonglee, Nattawut Saikua, right. Picture courtesy: AMARIN TV

 

This legal challenge adds to other ongoing lawsuits against Paetongtarn, aimed at ending her tenure as prime minister due to alleged unlawful influence by her father, Thaksin. These multiple legal fronts pose a significant threat to her leadership and the stability of the Pheu Thai-led coalition government, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

If the Constitutional Court finds Paetongtarn guilty, she faces impeachment and removal from office, which would jeopardise the Pheu Thai coalition’s hold on power. This developing situation is closely monitored, given its potential to alter the political landscape significantly.

 

-- 2024-10-08

 

[MikeandDow]

If she approved the Appointments it is correct that she should be removed  No criminals should be in a position of power full stop  

[motdaeng]

47 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

If she approved the Appointments it is correct that she should be removed  No criminals should be in a position of power full stop  

 

and i thought for a moment, to have a criminal record would be a perfect match for this government ... silly me 

[Puccini]

Poor little girl. Don't be too harsh on her. It's her daddy who advised her to make these appointments.

 

It's a mystery, though, why daddy goes to such great length to move his daughter into a position that could get her removed from office. What is his scheme?

[gk10012001]

Any usage of the word "legal" in Thailand needs to be taken with a sack of salt not a grain of salt.  The constitution keeps getting thrown out, and re-written so often that the rule of law by any western standard is very subjective at best.

[watchcat]

8 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

If she approved the Appointments it is correct that she should be removed  No criminals should be in a position of power full stop  

 

What about the heroin guy?

[jippytum]

Phue Thai are  legally not 

allowed to accept political instruction from a non member.

Thaksin is barred from politics and a non member. 

 Thaksin openly contiues to advise his Daughter as his proxy PM.

They are playing a high risk game and fooling no  one. 

If justice eventually catches up with them..... Dubi here we come..... Again

Edited October 8 by jippytum

[Ben Zioner]

9 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

If she approved the Appointments it is correct that she should be removed  No criminals should be in a position of power full stop  

Even in the US?

[kingstonkid]

Eventually, one of these complaints is going to stick.

 

As for Thaksin, I think the BJT and military are holding that over his head to make him a good boy and to keep him in their lane. Once he strays, they will drop the ball, and he will be gone.

 

The absence of the PTP is a significant issue. Without their influence, the military elite is unable to establish a government.

 

zThat would mean an election and I am not sure anyone wants that right now.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the influential Pheu Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra

Surely this is fake news?

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The controversy stems from appointing Nattawut Saikua and Surapong Suebwonglee, both of whom have previous criminal convictions, to advisory roles.

Lets see if the EC or CC show the same standards as they did with Srettha or use double standards with Shinawtras?

Edited October 8 by hotchilli

[jippytum]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Lets see if the EC or CC show the same standards as they did with Srettha or use double standards with Shinawtras?

Fast action Shown to Pita and the MFP would be welcome if applied to the Shiniwatra family

[john donson]

being just a puppet should be enough to remove her,no ?

[crazykopite]

This is papas selection not hers !

[lordgrinz]

She will never be seen as anything more than Daddy's shadow, it's her choice to follow in that shadow, and if-need-be to suffer the possible consequences as well. 

[mfd101]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

The controversy stems from appointing Nattawut Saikua and Surapong Suebwonglee, both of whom have previous criminal convictions, to advisory roles.

So didn't Thaksin et al learn anything from what happened to Srettha?

 

Or is the list of Thai politicians with NO earlier criminal conviction too short to meet current requirements?

[lordgrinz]

18 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

So didn't Thaksin et al learn anything from what happened to Srettha?

 

Or is the list of Thai politicians with NO earlier criminal conviction too short to meet current requirements?

 

It's hard trying to find the most corrupt yes-sir (Thaksin bootlicker) people for a job, especially ones without a lengthy criminal history, or past corruption scandals.

[retarius]

Am I sick of reading about Thaksin's?

[PETERTHEEATER]

9 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

What about the heroin guy?

A glitch in translation of the original police report stated that he was a hero in Australia.....😋