The Constitutional Court will continue to deliberate on the PM’s dismissal case on 10 July, requesting the relevant agencies to submit additional evidence and their opinions within 15 days.

According to the Constitution Court’s statement on Tuesday (18 June), the relevant agencies or individuals are required to prepare their opinions and submit documents and evidence for the benefit of the deliberation within 15 days of receiving a letter. Meanwhile, the next hearing is scheduled for 10 July.

The complaint was filed against the PM in May by a group of 40 caretaker senators. The Court voted not to suspend Srettha from his position while they consider the case. The petition claimed that the PM violated the Constitution by giving lawyer Pichit Chuenban a Cabinet post as Minister Attached to the PM’s Office.

Pichit was jailed for 2 years for contempt of court in 2008 and had his law license suspended for 5 years after he allegedly attempted to bribe Supreme Court officials with 2 million baht hidden in a paper bag while he was representing former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his ex-wife Potjaman Na Pombejra in the Ratchadaphisek land case. The former lawyer announced his resignation from the ministerial position on 21 May.

The Senators claimed that Pichit lacked integrity and violated the ethical standards required by the Constitution for those who hold ministerial positions and alleged that the PM was aware of Pichit’s criminal record but still insisted on appointing him, so the PM’s action was unconstitutional.

The petition sought the dismissal of both Srettha and Pichit. The Court dropped the case against Pichit as he had already resigned.

According to BBC Thai, Srettha previously told the media that he respected the Court’s investigation process, and that he was concerned about all issues related to the government, but he was confident that his appointment was in accordance with the law and was done with sincerity.