A political activist has asked the Senate Speaker to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court, seeking the removal of embattled and suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her new role as culture minister.
Dr Tul Sittisomwong urged the Senate Speaker to gather signatures from at least one-tenth of the senators, to support a petition to the court claiming that Paetongtarn should be removed from her duties as the culture minister.
His move follows a petition, filed by 36 senators with the Constitutional Court, over Paetongtarn’s leaked conversation with Cambodia’s Hun Sen.
The petitioners claim that her handling of the leaked recording was negligent and constituted a dereliction of official duty.
They cited the lack of clear procedures and direct accountability in conducting foreign negotiations, responsibilities expected of a prime minister.
The court yesterday agreed to consider the petition and ordered her suspension from prime ministerial duties. In the new Cabinet lineup, announced on the same day, Paetongtarn was appointed culture minister.
The new Cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in before His Majesty the King tomorrow.
Dr Tul questioned how Paetongtarn can be appointed to a ministerial role while the allegations against her are sub judice.
“According to the constitutional qualifications and prohibitions for ministers, integrity and honesty are key requirements. The public is now wondering how she could legally assume the role of a minister of state,” he said.
