Thailand’s opposition People’s Party has expressed disagreement with the Constitutional Court’s decision to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office, stating that ethical matters should be judged by the public rather than the court.
In a press conference on Thursday, Parit Wacharasindhu, a party-list MP from the People’s Party, voiced concern over the court’s ruling. He emphasized that while political officeholders should maintain ethical standards, the interpretation of ethics varies among individuals.
“As long as an act is not blatantly corrupt and covered by clear legal penalties, ethical matters should be a political responsibility for the public to judge,” he said.
The party criticized the 2017 Constitution for granting the Constitutional Court and independent organizations excessive power to interpret ethical standards, potentially risking the removal of elected officials.
When asked about the party’s stance on the upcoming prime ministerial vote, he clarified that as an opposition party, they do not have a prime ministerial candidate. He added that Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, has been disqualified from politics.
The People’s Party pledged to continue its role in checks and balances and push forward agendas important to the public.
The People’s Party was formed and registered after the Constitutional Court had ordered the dissolution of the Move Forward Party earlier this month, ruling that its policy to amend the lese-majeste law threatened the constitutional monarchy.
The court also banned the party’s executives, including Pita Limjaroenrat, from politics for 10 years.
Former Move Forward MPs joined the rebranded People’s Party to continue their role as the main opposition party. (TNA)
