Academics yesterday welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling which did not provoke the much-feared political vacuum while anti-government elements called on the remaining cabinet ministers to resign to avoid further complications.
Trakul Meechai, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said the court ruling which disqualified Yingluck Shinawatra and nine others fell short of throwing out the entire cabinet, which would have caused political problems.
Concerns were raised before the landmark ruling that if the court ruled to oust the entire caretaker cabinet along with Ms Yingluck, a power vacuum would occur.
Yutthaporn Isarachai, dean of Sukhothaithammathirat University's political science faculty, said while there would be a plenty of interpretations regarding who would succeed Ms Yingluck, the ruling eliminated the fear of a political vacuum. The remaining caretaker ministers would carry on, he said.
The court refused to address the issue of a new prime minister, saying it did not have the jurisdiction.
Akanat Promphan, spokesman for the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said the court ruling presented an opportunity for the group to push ahead with its plan for the appointment of a "people's government".
He said the caretaker cabinet did not have the legitimacy to appoint an individual to succeed Ms Yingluck, adding that it was another victory for the PDRC and the ruling would strengthen the group's next move.
As the court was reading out the ruling, PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and PDRC supporters were walking in the Sathu Pradit area to ask residents to join their latest "final battle". The supporters erupted in cheers when the ruling was handed down.
Ms Yingluck monitored the court ruling at her office in the compound of the Defence Ministry's Permanent Secretary's Office in Muang Thong Thani. Pro-government supporters turned out to boost her spirits.
The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) yesterday backed down from its plan to seek royal advice following the ruling.
The centre planned to seek the King's advice if the charter court ruled to disqualify Ms Yingluck and her entire cabinet. Capo secretary Tarit Pengdith said there is no need to proceed because the ruling did not create a political vacuum.
Suriyasai Katasila, a PDRC core member, said the court set a precedent when it ruled the ministers who approved the transfer order must be held accountable. If the National Anti-Corruption Commission finds Ms Yingluck guilty of dereliction of duty in its probe into the rice-pledging scheme, there is a chance the other cabinet ministers will also be held responsible.