Dismissal case against Thai PM likely to fail, says chief of staff

BANGKOK — Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will likely survive a critical court decision next week that could see him dismissed from office, beating back military-appointed former lawmakers who had targeted the premier, his chief of staff said.

The Constitutional Court will on Aug 14 rule on a case brought by conservative ex-senators who allege Srettha violated the constitution by appointing to cabinet a former lawyer who was once jailed.

"We are very confident because we did everything as per the legal procedure," Prommin Lertsuridej, a veteran of the ruling Pheu Thai party, told Reuters.

The case highlights deep divisions in Thai politics, marked by a two-decade struggle between its conservative-royalist establishment, backed by the military, and parties with mass appeal, like Srettha's ruling Pheu Thai.

The lawmakers were members of an upper house appointed by generals who overthrew the last Pheu Thai government in 2014, the second coup in nine years against an administration led by the billionaire Shinawatra family.

The lawmakers argued that the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer for the politically powerful Shinawatras, did not meet ethnical standards. He was briefly jailed for contempt of court for an alleged attempt to bribe court staff, which was never proven.

"The case against the prime minister had been pushed on by selected member of the Senate," Prommin said, calling it a "political obstacle".

Srettha denies wrongdoing and brought in a widely-respected legal expert to defend him.

"We are very confident with all the evidence we have already submitted," Prommin said in an interview at the prime minister's office.

Prospect of upheaval

If Srettha is removed, a new government must be formed.