BANGKOK, May 7: Crisis-hit Thailand could face fresh turmoil as the country’s highest court was expected to give a ruling today on whether to remove Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office on abuse of power charges.
Thailand’s Constitution Court will hand down the historic verdict that could have a major impact on the political impasse in the country. The court’s ruling will be broadcast live.
Yingluck held a special cabinet meeting this morning to discuss the Election Commission’s request for a new round of talks regarding the draft for the Royal Decree for an election on July 20.
Adding to the premier’s troubles, the anti-graft body National Anti-Corruption Commission finished reviewing facts and evidences in the controversial rice-pledging case against 46-year-old Yingluck and will make a decision on her indictment tomorrow, the Nation quoted sources as saying.
“The hearing is over…The Constitutional Court has decided to rule on May 7 at noon,” court president Charoon Intachan announced yesterday after hearing the testimony of Yingluck and three other witnesses in the case involving the transfer of National Security Council (NSC) chief Thawil Pliensri.
If found guilty, Yingluck can be dismissed as Prime Minister and the ruling could oust her entire Cabinet which would create a political vacuum.
Six months of political street protests have so far failed to force Yingluck from office, with anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) demanding her resignation to pave the way for an appointed government that would institute reforms.
Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan yesterday said the ruling Pheu Thai Party, of which he is the leader, had worked out a plan to cope with a negative verdict from the court.
“If we (the whole Cabinet) are sacked (from office), there will be chaos. But we realise we will be (forced) out,” he was quoted as saying.
The anti-government protesters accuse Yingluck of acting as a proxy for her fugitive brother, former premier Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
About 25 people have been killed and hundreds others wounded in political violence in six months of protests.
The court yesterday heard the testimony of four witnesses in the case – Thawil, Senator Paiboon Nititawan, who had brought the case to court, former national police chief Wichean Potephosree, who replaced Thawil, and Yingluck. (PTI)
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