BANGKOK - Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office over his ethical violation for appointing a cabinet member with a prison record.

The judges agreed by five votes to four to end Srettha's premiership status for breaching ethical standards under the country's Constitution. The court also dismissed his cabinet but the remaining members will continue to perform caretaker duties until a new cabinet takes office.

The appointment of Pichit Chuenban as minister of the Prime Minister's Office, despite knowing that he was unqualified to hold a political post, indicated that Srettha committed a serious ethical breach and was disqualified under the Constitution.

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The verdict came after a group of 40 former senators petitioned the court to decide whether Srettha's appointment of Pichit, who served a six-month prison sentence for contempt of court following a bribery attempt, was unethical conduct and violated the Constitution.

Srettha said after the ruling that he respected the court verdict. "I performed duties to the best of my ability and adhered to ethical principles throughout my nearly one-year tenure in office."

The 62-year-old man, who previously headed property giant Sansiri, joined politics only before the 2023 election and became one of prime ministerial candidates of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.