File photo courtesy of Thai Post

 

A controversial complaint has been lodged against Phumtham Wechayachai, caretaker Prime Minister of Thailand, alleging lese majeste over his dramatic bid to dissolve the House. The tension deepened with the Bhumjaithai Party also filing a malfeasance complaint, claiming Phumtham exceeded his authority.

 

The accusation was brought to the spotlight by list MP Suratin Pichan and activist Thaikorn Polsuwan at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok.

 

Thaikorn argued that as a caretaker, Phumtham lacked the power to call for dissolution, accusing him of using the monarchy for political manoeuvring. The Pheu Thai Party, however, is fiercely defending Phumtham’s actions amidst a swirling political storm.

 

This high-stakes saga follows the unseating of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister for alleged ethical missteps involving a controversial call with Cambodia's Hun Sen. Now, political rivals Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai are caught in a tug-of-war, both eager to woo the People’s Party, the opposition leader and 2023 election victor.

 

A twist unfolded as the People’s Party backed Bhumjaithai, yet Phumtham pressed ahead, submitting his call for dissolution. Bhumjaithai responded swiftly, with their legal affairs head, Supachai Jaisamut, stepping up the pressure by filing a formal complaint under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, pinpointing Phumtham's audacious move as a breach of authority.

 

The heat intensified with activist Srisuwan Janya petitioning the National Anti-Corruption Commission to probe into Phumtham's contentious actions. The questions are echoing: did Phumtham fling constitutional norms aside in a bid to quell the nation's deepening political crisis?

 

Supachai voiced concerns over the caretaker PM's constitutional reach, pointing to the Council of State's legal opinion that undermines Phumtham’s position. He emphasised that the absence of constitutional backing weakens the caretaker's authority to initiate such a significant political shift, according to the Bangkok Post.

 

Srisuwan, known for his dogged legal pursuits, raised ethical and legal queries about the decree’s submission, urging the NACC to investigate potential legal breaches and identify any accomplices behind the scene.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-04

 

 

'alleging lese majeste' for asking to to dissolve the House, what next !

39 minutes ago, JoePai said:

'alleging lese majeste' for asking to to dissolve the House, what next !

I am tired of people using that and not being charged with when it is not applicable.  I however was expecting it.

cry baby cry   this circus is being played out in the world stage  Thailand is a laughing stock 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

did Phumtham fling constitutional norms aside in a bid to quell the nation's deepening political crisis?

to be frank: his bid was not at all to alleviate one of Thailand's numerous crises - Thailand is used to them and usually shrugs them off - , no, his bid was solely for the purpose of extending the Pheu Thai regime until a general election, giving the government the time to repair itself and be a contender.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The questions are echoing: did Phumtham fling constitutional norms aside in a bid to quell the nation's deepening political crisis

Constitutional norms would require a constitution be in place long enough to have norms... the only norm with the constitution is it is not worth the paper it is written on if the military decides that it is a national emergency and they MUST take control of the government.

I am absolutely appalled what you can achieve with a single phone call. Unseating an entire government, the members of parliament throwing manure to no end at each other and trying to pull 112 into equation. 

Remarkable - indeed! 

9 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

cry baby cry   this circus is being played out in the world stage  Thailand is a laughing stock 

World stage? Most of the world couldn't find Thailand on a map have have less than zero interest in the local politics.