Thailand's Constitutional Court on August 14 dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after ruling that he violated the constitution in appointing a cabinet, a ruling that could potentially repeat the political deadlock that Thailand has experienced a year after a 2023 general election.

In May, the Constitutional Court accepted a petition filed by 40 senators to remove Mr Srettha from his post as prime minister. The senators argued that Mr Srettha's appointment of Mr Pichit Chuenban as cabinet minister in April was unconstitutional because Mr Pichit had been sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 for a bribery case.

The Thai Constitution stipulates that a minister "shall not commit any serious breach or failure to observe ethical standards", and that his or her ministerial position shall be terminated upon breach of the provision.

Mr Srettha said the process of appointing Mr Pichit as minister was carried out legally and carefully, adding that he would respect the Court's ruling regardless of what it would be.

The ruling of the Constitutional Court of Thailand is final and not subject to appeal.

A former property tycoon, Mr Srettha became Thailand's prime minister in August last year when his Pheu Thai Party had a chance to form the current coalition government, ending nine years of military rule.

Mr. Srettha’s priority since taking office has been to fix the country’s sluggish economy. He has backed a 500 billion baht ($13.8 billion) digital wallet program that he said would create jobs and spur spending in underdeveloped regions. The plan has yet to be implemented.

Mr Srettha also aims to attract more foreign investment and turn Thailand into a global tourism hub, expanding visa-free policies and announcing plans to host major events to boost the economy.

With the incumbent leader forced to step down, Thai lawmakers will convene a parliamentary vote to choose a new prime minister. The nominee must be from among the prime minister candidates that political parties have submitted to the Election Commission ahead of the next general election in 2023.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has two other candidates: Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Mr. Chaikasem Nitisiri.

Minh Duc (According to Nikkei Asia, CNN)