Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dismissed a complaint against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family’s Pheu Thai Party, providing a significant reprieve for the less-than-three-month-old government led by Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Bloomberg reports.
The court announced its decision Friday, rejecting a petition filed by activist lawyer Theerayuth Suwankaesorn – the same lawyer who successfully petitioned for the dissolution of the reformist Move Forward Party. Suwankaesorn’s complaint accused Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party of attempting to undermine the democratic system and the monarchy.
While not a member of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin is widely considered its de facto leader and holds considerable influence over the government. His return to Thailand last year after 15 years in self-imposed exile, followed by a royally-commuted prison sentence, has been a key factor in the country’s shifting political landscape.
The court’s dismissal alleviates immediate concerns about further political instability and potential investor anxieties. This follows the court’s controversial decisions earlier this year, which included the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the dissolution of the Move Forward Party.
Despite this dismissal, Paetongtarn’s government remains under scrutiny. The Election Commission is currently investigating allegations of Thaksin’s undue influence on the party and government, based on several petitions filed by his opponents. Under Thai law, a party’s control or influence by a non-member is grounds for dissolution.
The political situation in Thailand remains complex. The recent dismissal offers temporary stability, but the ongoing investigations and the lingering influence of Thaksin highlight the ongoing fragility of the political system.
