Thailand court ruling to impact PM and Move Forward Party

The Constitutional Court is set to rule next month on two pivotal cases that could significantly impact Thailand’s political landscape, determining the future of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan expressed doubts about the MFP’s chances, stating that I believe the prospects of the MFP surviving the dissolution case are slim. He also warned that if the Thai prime minister is removed from office, it could have a ripple effect on the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Pheu Thai has identified two potential replacements for the Bangkok-born Srettha: party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and core member Chaikasem Nitisiri, according to political observers.

Regarding the case against him, the 62 year old Thai PM remained resolute

“I will focus on my work and my morale remains high.”

PM Srettha expressed confidence that coalition members would stay united.

“A difference in opinion is normal. If problems arise, they will be sorted out.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charvirakul dismissed speculation that he might replace the current prime minister if the court rules against him. Every Cabinet minister has given moral support to the prime minister. We hope he can get through tough times, said Anutin, who is also the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a PM candidate in the last election.

The case against the Thai premier began when 40 caretaker senators petitioned the Constitutional Court in May. They called for his removal, alleging he violated the constitution by appointing Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict and ally of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as PM’s Office Minister in a recent cabinet reshuffle.

The senators

The senators contended Pichit was unfit for a Cabinet post due to his 2008 jail sentence for contempt of court. Pichit, along with two colleagues, attempted to bribe Supreme Court officials with a paper bag containing 2 million baht. At the time, Pichit represented Thaksin in a contentious land case.

Pichit resigned from the PM’s Office Minister position just before the court accepted the petition, which was perceived as an attempt to shield the Thai PM from legal trouble. The court agreed to hear the case against Srettha but dismissed the case against Pichit due to his resignation.

The court will announce its ruling on the PM’s case on August 14.

The case against the MFP, initiated by the Election Commission (EC) in March, followed a January 31 ruling by the Constitutional Court. The court found that the MFP’s efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code indicated an intent to undermine Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.

Based on this ruling, the EC argued that the MFP violated Section 92 of the organic law on political parties, empowering the court to dissolve any party that threatens the constitutional monarchy.

The EC has requested the court to disband the party, ban its executives from future elections, and prohibit them from registering or serving as executives of a new party for 10 years. The Constitutional Court will rule on the dissolution case against the MFP on August 7.

MFP leader Chaithawat Tulathon stated that the party is prepared to accept the court’s decision, regardless of the outcome. He said that the MFP has grown stronger, with its members better equipped and more prepared to work so the party will emerge victorious at the next general election.

Thaksin Shinawatra

Meanwhile, attention is focused on Thaksin as he completes his one-year jail sentence on August 22. Speculation abounds about whether he will take on a role in Pheu Thai to help reverse its declining popularity.

A 74 years old, Thaksin, returned to Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years of self-exile. On the same day, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison for three cases. However, he was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital that night for health reasons.

A royal pardon reduced his jail term to one year. After spending six months in the hospital, Thaksin was paroled and discharged in February, reported Bangkok Post.