Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Ousted by Court Over Ethics Breach
Thailand was thrown into fresh political turmoil on Friday after the Constitutional Court voted to remove Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. The ruling came after judges found that her controversial phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen violated the country’s ethics code.
Court Ruling Ends Paetongtarn’s Year-Long Premiership
In a 6–3 decision, the court ruled that Paetongtarn “lacks the qualifications and possesses prohibited characteristics” under the Thai constitution. The judgment effectively ends her one-year tenure as the country’s youngest prime minister, a position she took in August 2024.
The Leaked Phone Call That Sparked the Case
The controversy stems from a June 15 leaked phone call amid rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. In the recording, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared to criticize the Thai military’s handling of clashes that killed a Cambodian soldier. She also remarked, “If you want anything, just tell me, and I will take care of it” — comments that fueled accusations of compromising Thailand’s national interests.
The court concluded that her words demonstrated a lack of honesty, integrity, and compliance with ethical standards, further undermining her credibility as head of government.
Fallout from Border Clashes
The incident came just weeks before a five-day border conflict erupted, leaving at least 38 people dead — mostly civilians — and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. Nationalist sentiment in Thailand surged, with critics accusing Paetongtarn of betraying the nation.
She later apologized to the Thai public, saying her remarks were part of a negotiation strategy intended to defuse tensions with Cambodia.
Paetongtarn Responds to Court’s Decision
Speaking after the ruling, Paetongtarn thanked her supporters but acknowledged the gravity of the decision.
“This is another time the court’s ruling has brought sudden political change. As a Thai, I love my nation, religion, and the king. Thank you to everyone who gave me knowledge and experience,” she said.
Earlier in July, the court had suspended her from prime ministerial duties, though she continued to serve as culture minister following a cabinet reshuffle.
Shinawatra Family Legacy of Political Turmoil
The Shinawatra family, one of Thailand’s most influential political dynasties, has long faced battles with the establishment. Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted in a 2006 coup and spent over 15 years in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges. Just last week, he narrowly avoided conviction in a lese-majeste case that carried a potential 15-year prison term.
Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, was also forced from office in 2014 before the military seized power.
Courts and Coups in Thai Politics
For decades, Thailand’s political system has been marked by frequent judicial interventions, party dissolutions, and military coups. While parties aligned with the Shinawatra family continue to win elections, they have repeatedly struggled to hold power against the entrenched influence of the military, royalist, and business elite.
Paetongtarn’s removal highlights the ongoing cycle of political instability in Thailand — a nation where courts and the military often play decisive roles in shaping the country’s leadership.