Thailand - August 15, 2024

Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office after finding him guilty of an ethics violation, throwing the Southeast Asian nation into a fresh spell of political uncertainty.

This ruling comes after the Court ordered the dissolution of the main opposition party a week ago.

This latest chapter lasted less than 12 month and Srettha's rise to the highest elected position in the country was almost as rapid as his exit, with the Constitutional Court ruling that he had breached ethics rules by appointing a lawyer who had served prison time to the Cabinet. He became prime minister last August, despite his Pheu Thai party finishing second in the election, after the victorious Move Forward party was blocked from forming the government.

For his supporters, his promises of economic reform and a fresh approach to governance resonated after nine years of military rule.

But his tenure was marred by setbacks, with polls indicating that the majority of Thais have an unflattering view of his leadership.

His removal now suggests a period of renewed political instability is coming at a time when Thailand desperately needs unity and direction.

This ruling, however, is more than just a legal outcome; it is a reflection of Thailand's ongoing struggle to reconcile its democratic aspirations with the realities of its entrenched political landscape.

Internationally, this ruling also raises concerns about Thailand's stability. Foreign investments may grind to a halt as markets await more clarity on who leads the nation.

The country is struggling to revive its faltering economy, with weak exports, lackluster consumer spending and sky-high household debt.

Shotlist:
Thailand - Aug 15, 2024:
1. Various of Thai national flag, temples, traffic;
FILE: Thailand - Date Unknown
2. Buildings along Chao Phraya River;
3. Traffic;
4. Various of pedestrians;
Thailand - Aug 15, 2024
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Viroj Ari, political analyst, Thammasat University (starting with shot 4):
"In order to sort the economic issues, we need stability in the state. So that is why everything would move very, very quickly, and they have to make sure that the new prime minister has to come up very very quickly, make sure they can keep the whole cabinet together. And at the same time, they have to make sure that they have fine-tuned policies. So, I think everyone is waiting, tired, they want stability, they want Thailand to move on as quickly as possible.";
FILE: Bangkok, Thailand - Feb 29, 2024
6. Various of traffic;
Bangkok, Thailand - Aug 15, 2024
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Pitch Pongsawat, head, Department of Government, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University:
"In Thailand, politics is not just about politicians. It's about the bureaucracy, it's about this kind of non-electoral institutions and power. So, what's going on now? If the worst case scenario happen will be the dissolution of the parliament. That would mean the frustration and that may lead to street protests.";
FILE: Bangkok, Thailand - May 2023
8. Aerial shots of cityscape.

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