Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin can be dismissed, after having served less than a year in office, Deutsche Welle reports.
A group of 40 senators, appointed by the former military government, had filed a lawsuit against Srettha.
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.
Now Srettha is dismissed, Thailand’s 500-seat parliament must convene to choose a new prime minister, potentially plunging the country further into political uncertainty.
The Constitutional Court ruled on whether Srettha violated “ethical standards” by appointing Pichit Chuenban.
In 2008, Pichit was sentenced to six months in jail for a graft-related offense. He resigned from the Cabinet to assist Srettha, but the court proceeded with a case based on a complaint filed by the senators.
Srettha has denied wrongdoing.
After the ruling, he said he wanted to continue to help the country in other capacities, while saying he “respected” the court’s judgement.
