Adviser Appointment Puts PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hot Water

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Nattawut Saikuar. Picture courtesy: New TV

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is once again under scrutiny, as activist Sonthiya Sawasdee has filed a formal petition challenging her recent appointment of Nattawut Saikuar, a former red shirt activist with a criminal history, as her adviser.

 

The case, filed on Wednesday, seeks to have the issue reviewed by the Constitutional Court, asserting that the appointment breaches constitutional ethics provisions.

 

The controversy stems from Prime Minister Paetongtarn's decision on 4th October last year to appoint Nattawut, a high-profile figure from the red shirt protest movement, which has sparked concerns regarding compliance with ethical standards.

 

According to Mr Sonthiya, the appointment violates several sections of the Thai Constitution, notably Section 160, which demands that cabinet members uphold moral integrity and ethical standards in political appointments.

 

Notably, the Constitutional Court previously removed Thailand's former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office in 2022 for a similar ethical breach.

 

His transgression involved the appointment of a lawyer with a criminal record to a cabinet position, leading to a complete governmental reshuffle, eventually ushering in Ms Paetongtarn's administration.

Mr Sonthiya highlights that Nattawut is presently serving a 10-year political ban, and was sentenced in 2020 to two years in prison for orchestrating a violent protest in 2007.

 

Despite having served as deputy commerce and agriculture minister from 2012 to 2014 under the Yingluck Shinawatra government, Nattawut's political activity ban stands.

 

Sonthiya argues that the advisory role given to Nattawut is indeed political and contests its propriety given Nattawut's history and the existing political ban.

 

This move adds to a growing list of ethical challenges against Prime Minister Paetongtarn, echoing previous complaints launched by activists Nopparut Worachitwutthikul and Ruangkrai Leekitwattana late last year.

 

Currently, over a dozen petitions have been directed against Ms Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai Party, spanning allegations of corruption and unethical decision-making.

 

Among these, at least six have been instigated by Mr Ruangkrai, underscoring pervasive scrutiny of the government's adherence to constitutional statutes during its appointments.

 

As the matter heads towards potential legal examination, the Prime Minister faces increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance with ethical standards, amidst ongoing political challenges from both within and outside her administration. The outcome of these petitions could have significant implications for the current government's stability and credibility, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-16

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Maybe the bigger question is why lots of red-shirt leaders went to jail, but the guy who told the red-shirts what to do avoided jail and is again meddling in politics.