Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Sacked; Who Will Be the Next Prime Minister?

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday sacked Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, within a year into her tenure, after finding her guilty of breaching ethical standards.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court’s Statement

The court ruled that Shinawatra violated ethics rules by leaking a phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader and further determined that she did not meet the constitutional qualifications to serve as premier.

The Current Cabinet will assume caretaker responsibilities

Following the verdict, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the current cabinet will assume caretaker responsibilities until parliament selects a new prime minister. The House speaker will set the date of the parliamentary vote.

Five candidates remain eligible from those nominated before the 2023 general election. From the ruling Pheu Thai Party, only Chaikasem Nitisiri, 77, is still in contention. A former justice minister and attorney general, Chaikasem has kept a low profile but has indicated he is ready to step into the role.

Another possibility is Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, an ambitious former interior minister and deputy prime minister. His Bhumjaithai Party pulled out of Paetongtarn’s coalition government in June, fueling speculation that he could position himself as a compromise candidate.

Other names on the list include current Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, former deputy prime minister Jurin Laksanawisit, and ex-premier Prayuth Chan-ocha, 71. Prayuth, who led the 2014 coup against a previous Pheu Thai government, is now retired from active politics and serving as a royal adviser, making his candidacy unlikely.

How to become a PM in Thailand

To become prime minister, a candidate must first secure the backing of at least 50 lawmakers for nomination. A majority of the lower house’s 492 members, or at least 247 votes, is then required in a parliamentary ballot. If no one meets that threshold, the process will be repeated until a new leader is chosen. (Inputs from Hindustan Times)

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