Thailand's Srettha Thavisin removed from power by court for ethic breaches

Caretaker prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai is set to form a coalition government on Thursday

Srettha Thavisin has been found guilty of breaching the constitution by appointing a cabinet minister who had served jail time in 2008. EPA

Thailand's Prime Minister was dismissed from his post by the country's Constitutional Court for “gross” ethics breaches on Wednesday after less than a year in power.

Srettha Thavisin was referred to the court by 40 senators, who said his appointment of Pichit Chuenban to his cabinet in April was unconstitutional. Mr Pichit had previously served a six-month sentence for bribery. The court agreed and removed Mr Srettha, who is head of the Pheu Thai Party, from his post.

“The court has found 5-4 that the accused is terminated as prime minister due to his lack of honesty,” the judges said, adding his behaviour “grossly breached ethical standards”.

Mr Srettha argued his appointment was legal. Mr Pitchit was jailed for six months in 2008 for contempt of court in 2008 over an alleged attempt to bribe court staff. The accusation was never proven.

As well as dismissing the 62-year-old former property tycoon, the court also disbanded the cabinet, leaving a power vacuum. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has taken the role of caretaker prime minister until Friday when the country's 500 parliamentarians will vote on a successor, Mr Srettha's chief of staff, Prommin Lertsuridej, told Reuters.

Thailand's Constitutional Court has dismissed three of Mr Srettha's predecessors over the last 16 years. Last week it dissolved an entire political party after proposed reforms to Thailand's law against insulting the crown.