Thailand To Enter Caretaker Government Period After Paetongtarn's Dismissal

By Tuwaedaniya Meringing

BANGKOK, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Thailand will enter a caretaker government period following the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister by the Constitutional Court on Friday.

Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies at Thammasat University, Associate Professor Dr Chaiwat Meesanthan, said that when a prime minister resigns or is removed from office, the entire Cabinet must also vacate their posts.

“Thailand will now enter a period of caretaker administration, with the Deputy Prime Minister temporarily assuming the duties of Prime Minister until a new leader is elected,” he told Bernama when contacted on Friday.

Earlier, Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Paetongtarn for violating ethics and integrity.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court found that the 39-year-old failed to uphold the ethical standards required of a prime minister during her June telephone call with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.

The decision has plunged the country, along with its fragile economy, into further uncertainty.

Until Parliament chooses a new prime minister, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is expected to lead the caretaker government.

However, Chaiwat cautioned that this situation would affect both political and economic stability in the short term, while government operations could be disrupted until a fully functioning administration is in place.

He added that, under the Constitution, the new prime minister must be selected from the official “Prime Ministerial Candidate List” submitted by political parties during the election.

On the likely timeline for a parliamentary vote, Chaiwat said that once the premiership becomes vacant, Parliament must convene as soon as possible to elect a successor.

“It is expected that the Speaker of Parliament will schedule this session within the coming week or shortly thereafter. The aim is to ensure that a new government is formed swiftly so the country can continue to be governed without delay,” he said.

There are currently five eligible candidates from the lists submitted ahead of the 2023 election: Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri, Bhumjaithai’s Anutin Charnvirakul, United Thai Nation Party’s Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Democrat Party’s Jurin Laksanawisit, and United Thai Nation Party’s Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

Thailand’s current coalition government, led by Pheu Thai together with 10 other parties, holds 253 seats, while the opposition led by the People’s Party controls 239 seats, including Bhumjaithai, which quit the coalition in June.

-- BERNAMA