BANGKOK, August 29 (Reuters) – Thailand’s constitutional court has dismissed Prime Minister Paetong Tarun Sinawatra from his office for ethics violations after just a year of power, dealing another crushing blow to the political dynasty of Sinawatra, which could smash the era of the new era of Thamoil.
The youngest prime minister in Thailand, Paetongtarn will become the sixth prime minister of the billionaire Sinawatras, and will be eliminated by the military or judiciary in a turbulent two-year battle over power among the nation’s fighting elites.
In that ruling, the court said Paetontunn had violated ethics in a leaked call in June. Meanwhile, she appeared to former Cambodian leader Hun Sen while the two countries were on the verge of an armed border conflict. The fight exploded a few weeks later and lasted five days.
The decision paves the way for a new prime minister’s parliamentary election, a process that could be drawn out, facing the challenge of Paetongaghn’s ruling, Fau Party, losing its negotiating power and strengthening its vulnerable alliance with the thin razor majority.
In the 6-3 decision, the court said that Paetongtarn placed her personal interests before the people of the country, hurting the country’s reputation and losing the trust of the people.
“Due to the personal relationship that appears to be consistent with Cambodia, the respondent was consistently willing to comply or act according to the wishes of the Cambodia,” the court said in a statement.
This rule brings a premature end to the protégé of her daughter Prime Minister and influential big name Thaksin Shinawatra. Paetongtarn, 39, was a political newcomer when she suddenly plunged into the spotlight a year ago after the surprising fire of her predecessor Srettha Thavisin by the same court.
Paetongtarn apologised for the leaked call and said he was trying to avoid the war.
Future uncertainty
She is the fifth prime minister in 17 years to be dismissed by the Constitutional Court, highlighting her central role in the cumbersome power struggle between the elected government of the Sinawatra clan and the ties of the widespread and influential, powerful Conservative Party and royal generals.
Next, the focus shifts to those who will replace PaetongTan, and Thaksin is expected to be at the heart of the gust of the horse trade between the party and other power brokers, with the hope that Feutai will try to take charge of the Union.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the current Cabinet will oversee the government with the capabilities of caretakers until the new Prime Minister is elected by the House of Representatives.
There are five eligible to become prime ministers, but one of Pheu Thai, Chaikasem Nitisiri, 77, is a former attorney general with limited cabinet experience maintaining a low profile of politics.
Others include former Prayuth Chan-ocha, who retired from politics in 2014 and led a military coup against the last Pheu Thai government, and deputy prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, before withdrawing the party from the Paetongtarn coalition over Leekum Tarn’s calls.
The ruling thrusts into more political uncertainty at a time when Thailand has boiled down a stagnant reform and a stud-ton economy, which is expected to grow to just 2.3% this year.
The Pheu Thai administration is a coalition that is likely to have only a majority and, with great public support promoting early elections, could face frequent parliamentary challenges from the opposition parties.
“Appointing a new prime minister can be difficult and can take quite a while,” said Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University.
“It’s not easy for all involved to match their interests,” he said. “Pheu Thai is at a disadvantage.”
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