Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been dismissed by the Constitutional Court for appointing a former lawyer with a criminal record to his cabinet.

The court ruled that Srettha violated ethical rules, leading to his removal less than a year into his term. He is the third Thai PM in 16 years to be removed by the same court.

An interim leader will take over until a new prime minister is elected, BBC has reported.

Srettha’s dismissal highlights the influence of Thailand’s Constitutional Court and the ongoing political instability in the country, where backroom deals and power struggles continue to shape governance.

Written by B.C. Begley