Thailand’s PM Prayuth Chan-ocha acquitted in ethics case, amid signs of dissent in military

The Thai Constitutional Court ruled that the prime minister was not guilty of a conflict of interest by living in a military residence after retiring

As Thailand deals with ongoing anti-government protests, social media posts show increasing discontent and support for the movement among soldiers

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Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha continued to live in an army residence after retiring as a general in 2014, leading to an ethics complaint which could have cost him his job. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:04pm, 2 Dec 2020Updated: 12:03am, 3 Dec 2020

Thailand’s highest court on Wednesday acquitted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of breaching ethics clauses in the country’s constitution, allowing him to stay in his job.

This comes as social media posts increasingly expose signs of discontent among members of the military, as well police and civil servants, after months of student-led pro-democracy protests demanding that the government step down and reform to the monarchy.

The Constitutional Court ruled on a complaint brought by the Pheu Thai party, the largest opposition grouping in Parliament, that Prayuth had broken the law by continuing to live in his military residence after he retired as army commander in September 2014.

The complaint alleged that he broke constitutional articles barring government ministers from receiving special benefits from state agencies or enterprises because that would amount to a conflict of interest. If a minister is found guilty of violating ethical standards, the official is to be disqualified and forced to step down.

The nine-judge panel agreed with an army explanation that retired senior officers such as Prayuth are allowed to stay in army housing in recognition of their service.

Even before the court convened on Wednesday, protesters had called a rally to respond to the verdict. “Thailand’s justice system has completely lost its integrity. The court’s verdict today shows they look down on the people. This will fuel people’s anger and be the condition that drives our rallies to a higher level,” said a protest leader, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak.

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