Judicial Review

The Constitutional Tribunal found TRT guilty of hiring smaller political parties to run in the election to avoid single-candidate constituency problems. This was interpreted as an attempt to manipulate the results and maintain power.

The Constitutional Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) for electoral fraud during the April 2006 election.

111 party executives were banned from politics for 5 years.

The ruling reshaped Thailand’s political landscape by eliminating a dominant ruling party.

It demonstrates how judicial review can directly restructure political power.

The case revolved around the transfer of National Security Council (NSC) Secerity-General Thawil Pliensri in 2011

• The Court ruled that Yingluck transferred Thawil to benefit a relative (her brother-in-law, who became national police chief).

• The Court framed the transfer as an abuse of power, even though civil service reshuffles are a regular part of executive authority.

The Constitutional Court ruled that Yingluck abused power by transferring the National Security Council chief.

The Court ordered her removed from office, which triggered political instability leading up to the 2014 coup.

This case study shows the power of Judicial Review in removing the elected prime minister