Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been ordered to resign after being found guilty of violating the constitution over a TV cookery show.
Mr Samak’s entire cabinet has also been ordered to step down.
He was found to have violated a ban on ministers having outside interests by taking money from a private company to host a TV show.
His cabinet could remain as a caretaker administration for 30 days until parliament elects a new prime minister.
Despite the ruling by the nine judges, Mr Samak is not barred from standing again for prime minister.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has already vowed to re-appoint him.
The court accused Mr Samak of lying in his testimony when he said he did not receive payment from television production house Face Media following his election to the premiership.
Tax records showed he continued to receive payment.
‘The suspect has fabricated his evidence,’ the verdict said.
