Thailand’s caretaker prime minister has said he will see through planned July elections. Earlier, the Constitutional Court ruled that Yingluck Shinawatra was guilty of abuse of power charges and banned her from politics. After the ruling, the cabinet announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan would replace Yingluck, and the caretaker government would press ahead with plans for the July 20 elections. As well as Yingluck, Thailand’s Constitutional Court also implicated nine ministers, but allowed others to retain their posts.
“The caretaker government’s responsibility now is to organize an election as soon as possible,” said Niwatthamrong, a former executive in a company owned by Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother and a former prime minister. “I hope the political situation will not heat up after this,” Niwatthamrong added, referring to the court ruling.
The court ruled Wednesday that, with a “hidden agenda” to benefit her powerful family and Pheu Thai Party, Yingluck had replaced national security chief Thawil Pliensri after taking power in 2011.
Full Article: Thailand’s caretaker premier vows to hold planned poll | News | DW.DE | 07.05.2014.