Bangkok: A petition has been submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, requesting a Constitutional Court ruling on the termination of the membership of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul and Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut from the House of Representatives. The petition arises from a dispute over a memorandum of agreement (MOA), which allegedly involved political party influence and interference in exchange for benefits related to a vote for the Prime Minister.
According to Thai News Agency, the petition was signed by more than one-tenth of the MPs in the House of Representatives and officially stamped by the Office of the Secretary of the House of Representatives on September 5, 2025. It calls for a review under the Constitution, specifically referencing Section 101 (2) in conjunction with Section 185 (1) and (2).
The backdrop to this petition involves a recent Constitutional Court ruling that led to the end of Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra’s ministerial status. Following this ruling, the Cabinet appointed Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister, to act in her stead. With the Prime Minister’s departure, the House of Representatives is tasked with nominating a suitable replacement, according to Thailand’s democratic principles, which require a candidate to secure a majority vote.
The Bhumjaithai Party, spearheaded by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, has reportedly failed to gather more than half of the votes from the current 492 MPs. Consequently, they entered into an agreement with the Prachachon Party, led by Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, which stipulated several conditions for supporting Anutin as Prime Minister. These conditions include a commitment to dissolve the House within four months and holding a referendum on constitutional amendments, contingent on the Constitutional Court’s rulings.
The petition alleges that the actions taken by the Bhumjaithai Party and the Prachachon Party constitute an exchange of benefits, violating sections of the Organic Act on Political Parties and potentially undermining the independence of the Bhumjaithai Party’s MPs. The agreement between the parties is also seen as conflicting with the principles of democratic governance, as it imposes obligations on MPs that prioritize party interests over national interests.
Furthermore, the petition claims these actions are in violation of the Constitution, specifically Section 185 (1) and (2), and requests the Constitutional Court to rule on the termination of the memberships of both Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul and Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut. The petitioners argue that these actions reflect an undue influence on government functions and contravene the democratic regime with the King as Head of State.
The petition now awaits review from the Constitutional Court, which will determine the future status of the memberships of the implicated MPs.