Elected to the top job after her predecessor was unexpectedly ousted from office by the Constitutional Court, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s youngest-ever leader, faces some daunting tasks to restore trust and confidence in the government and win the next election.

27 student groups and civil society organizations issued a statement last week condemning the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as a “silent coup.”

Following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party and the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the human rights organization Fortify Rights calls on the Thai government to undertake comprehensive constitutional reforms to protect democratic principles and ensure a balance of power between elected and appointed branches of government, as the "overly broad" power of the Constitutional Court disrupt democratic governance.

Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the House of Representatives has scheduled a vote for a new Prime Minister this Friday (16 August).

The Constitutional Court has voted by a 5-4 majority to disqualify Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for violation of ethical standards by appointing to a cabinet position a person who has a prior criminal conviction.

On 14 August, the Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict on a petition seeking the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing a person with a criminal record to a cabinet position.

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.

Four high-profile political cases will be the subject of court hearings next week. They have the potential to decide the fate of Thailand and include petitions to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and to dissolve the progressive Move Forward Party.

The Thai Constitutional Court has accepted a petition filed by a group of caretaker senators, seeking to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing a person with a prior criminal charge to a cabinet position.

During Srettha Thavisin’s 7-month tenure, political prosecutions, particularly for royal defamation, have remained an ongoing concern with no sign of improvement. Citizens and activists continue to be jailed for political expression and many have been denied their right to bail, says Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has met with his Malaysian counterpart Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Sadao immigration in Songkhla Province to discuss and promote cooperation in border development between Thailand and Malaysia.

The Move Forward Party has called on PM Srettha Thavisin to approve 14 bills proposed by the Party, pointing out that it is not necessary for him to agree with the content but to provide MPs with an opportunity to exchange views and reach a conclusion.