A petition has been filed with the Election Commission (EC) seeking the dissolution of the Pheu Thai party, alleging that it is allowing Thaksin Shinawatra, an outsider, to control the party.
The complaint was filed on August 19 and the petitioner requested anonymity.
The petitioner attached the Constitutional Court’s ruling of August 14, which removed Srettha Thavisin as prime minister due to his lack of integrity in appointing Phichit Chuenban, a long-time lawyer for the Shinawatra family, as a PM's Office minister, despite him having served time in prison.
The ruling also stated, without naming names, that the inclusion of Phichit in the cabinet reshuffle list was ordered by a “powerful figure.” It is, however, widely inferred that the “powerful figure” was Thaksin, father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn, who is also the leader of Pheu Thai.
The petitioner claims that, on several occasions, Pheu Thai has allowed a non-member to direct the party’s activities, the party’s core members have attached importance to Thaksin’s input and they have acknowledged his leadership role in various media interviews.
Furthermore, the party’s executive permitted a video clip, in which Thaksin provided instructions on the duties of Pheu Thai members, to be shown at this year’s annual general meeting.
This clearly demonstrates that Pheu Thai is allowing Thaksin, an outsider, to influence the party’s activities, which contravenes the Constitution’s regulations on political parties.
The EC is, therefore, asked to submit the case to the Constitutional Court and to seek the dissolution of Pheu Thai.
