Thailand’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is facing calls for her resignation due to her appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai as a cabinet member amidst longstanding accusations of subversive activities.
Serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana dispatched an express mail petition to the Election Commission yesterday, demanding Ms. Paetongtarn’s removal from office due to Mr. Phumtham’s roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
Mr. Ruangkrai highlighted that Mr. Phumtham, a key figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which is headed by Ms. Paetongtarn, had previously engaged in activities considered hostile to the constitutional monarchy.
The complaint pertains to Mr. Phumtham’s past affiliation with a student group that allied with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) and engaged in anti-government actions following the October 6, 1976, massacre at Thammasat University, which targeted students and demonstrators.
Mr. Ruangkrai argues that Mr. Phumtham’s involvement with the CPT could be seen as antagonistic to the nation’s governance structure.
Ms. Paetongtarn’s decision to appoint a minister with such a controversial history could be viewed as unethical and in breach of the public office ethics code, justifying her removal from the prime ministerial post under Section 170 of the constitution.
Drawing on history, Mr. Ruangkrai compared this situation to the Constitutional Court’s prior decision to oust Srettha Thavisin, Ms. Paetongtarn’s predecessor, for his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as the PM’s office minister.
The choice of Mr. Phumtham as Defence Minister has been criticized and deemed potentially illegal by some, given his previous opposition to the government and military through his communist ties.
In his defense, Mr. Phumtham, once known as “Big Comrade” during his time with the CPT, stated that he and many other students had joined the jungle insurgency to escape the escalating violence in the area.
Mr. Ruangkrai pointed out that although a prime minister has the discretion to appoint cabinet members, these appointments should not violate legal standards.
