Thai Cabinet appoints new Prime Minister

BANGKOK: Thailands Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine ministers for abuse of power, leaving the government clinging to power but the nation still locked in a political crisis.

The cabinet swiftly appointed a deputy premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan to be Yinglucks replacement as the ruling party struggled to regain its footing after the judicial blow.

The court, which has played a key role in deposing two other Shinawatra-linked governments in recent turbulent years, ruled unanimously that Yingluck acted illegally by transferring a top security official in 2011.

Therefore her prime minister status has ended Yingluck can no longer stay in her position acting as caretaker prime minister, presiding judge Charoon Intachan said in a televised ruling.

Nine cabinet ministers who endorsed the decision to transfer Thawil Pliensri were also stripped of their status. But fears that the court would dismiss the entire cabinet proved unfounded.

Niwattumrong, a Thaksin-loyalist who is also commerce minister, was quickly promoted to the role of caretaker premier.

He vowed to press ahead with a planned July 20 election to establish a new government. That poll date has yet to be endorsed by a royal decree. Observers said the court ruling does nothing to ease Thailands prolonged political malaise.

Anti-government protesters are still on Bangkoks streets and the promotion of a Thaksin supporter may make Yinglucks dismissal a hollow victory.

Red Shirt supporters of the government meanwhile threaten to rally to defend it and to press for elections, raising fears of clashes. They will mass on Saturday in a Bangkok suburb.

This is a war of legal attrition, said Paul Chambers of the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University.

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Thai Cabinet appoints new Prime Minister