BANGKOK: The Constitutional Court of Thailand on Wednesday fixed July 24 as the next hearing date for a case seeking the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as it seeks more evidence.
The court earlier this month observed that the case would be concluded before September.
“The court calls for more information including evidence and from individuals that were previously summoned,” it said in a statement.
The case against Srettha was initiated after a complaint by 40 military-appointed senators in May, which was later accepted by the constitutional court for a formal hearing.
The case seeks the dismissal of the premier over the cabinet appointment of a lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, who served jail time for contempt of court. The complaint says that Pichit fell short of ethical and moral standards for ministers as defined in the constitution. Pichit has since resigned and Srettha denies any wrongdoing on the matter.
If Srettha, is dismissed from office, a new government has to be formed and his ruling Pheu Thai party would need to put forward a new candidate for the slot of Prime Minister to be voted on by parliament.
The case against the premier is being investigated along with another complaint calling for the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party, the winners of last year’s elections and the largest party in parliament.
