20 September 2024

The Constitutional Court said today that it will issue its decision in the case seeking to strip the prime minister of his status over the appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM Office minister, at 3pm on August 14.

The petition was filed by a group of 40 former senators, who claim that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should have been aware that Phichit was not qualified to become a minister, as he had been sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court over the “snack box” scandal by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders about 16 years ago.

Phichit was among those appointed in Srettha’s cabinet reshuffle, which was granted royal assent.

Srettha is facing the Court’s decision alone, as Phichit resigned from the position shortly after the petition was filed.

The Court also indicated that Srettha has until July 31 to submit his written closing statement.