Thai PM Srettha Thavisin Addresses Media Following Constitutional Court’s Petition Consideration

On May 23rd, 2024, at 4:30 PM (Japanese local time), Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, while on an official visit to Japan, spoke to the press about the Thai Constitutional Court’s consideration of a petition against him regarding the appointment of former Minister Pichit Chuenban.

Earlier that day, the Constitutional Court voted six to three to proceed with the petition against Srettha. However, by a narrow margin of five to four, the judges opted not to suspend him from his duties as Prime Minister during the investigation. The court granted him a 15-day period to respond to the complaint from the date he received a copy, as reported by Thai national media.

Srettha informed the media that he would consult with his legal team in response to the court’s order for an investigation. He underscored his responsibility as Prime Minister to govern the country and confront its challenges. While acknowledging that legal scrutiny is part of a political career, Srettha emphasized the importance of transparency and clarity in handling such matters.

“It is crucial to provide clarity to the public.”

Despite recognizing the difficulty in satisfying all political factions, Srettha appealed for trust in his leadership, emphasizing the well-being of Thai citizens as his foremost priority. He also expressed willingness to address any no-confidence motions in parliament, respecting the legislative process.

Srettha highlighted the roles of both the Legal Affairs and Executive Divisions in ensuring fair and thorough oversight. As part of the Administrative Division, he pledged to elucidate matters comprehensively and transparently to the public.