PM Paetongtarn Faces Legal Battle Over Advisor Appointments

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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?