Thailand's Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Srettha

Thailand's Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office on August 14 as it ruled against him in an ethics case that throws the kingdom into fresh political turmoil. Judge Punya Udchachon, reading the ruling, said the court voted five to four to remove Srettha from office over the appointment of a minister with a criminal conviction.

Srettha appointed Pichit Chuenban as a minister in his office in April, despite allegations that Pichit once convicted lacked necessary qualifications. In the event of Srettha’s disqualification, the Pheu Thai Party, which leads the ruling coalition, should instead swiftly select a new prime minister from among its candidates and expedite the implementation of its policy agenda, particularly the digital wallet initiative, experts suggested.