Thailand’s youngest prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from her position by the Constitutional Court for breaching constitutional ethics rules during a phone conversation with Cambodia’s Senate President, Hun Sen. This decision marks the end of her one-year tenure and deals a significant blow to the longstanding influence of the Shinawatra political dynasty in Thai politics.
The court’s 6-3 vote found that Paetongtarn’s conduct in the call compromised national interests, particularly her seemingly aligned relationship with Cambodia. The call, which occurred just before a border conflict erupted between the two countries, caused public outrage in Thailand. Paetongtarn’s addressing of Hun Sen as “uncle” and her critique of a Thai army general during the discussion of the border situation were deemed to lack integrity and ethical standards by the court.
Despite Paetongtarn’s defense that her friendly language was a negotiation tactic to ease tensions and her apology, the court ruled that her actions seriously violated ethical standards. The leaked call took place amidst escalating tensions over a century-old border dispute, leading to deadly clashes and the displacement of thousands of people.
Paetongtarn’s dismissal is not only a setback for her but also for her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a prominent figure in Thai politics who has faced allegations of prioritizing personal interests over national concerns. The Shinawatra family has a history of holding political office, with Paetongtarn being the third family member to serve as prime minister. The ruling coalition, led by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party, now faces uncertainty after losing a key partner due to the controversy surrounding the phone call.
The court’s decision leaves the country’s political landscape in limbo, with the caretaker government led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai awaiting parliamentary approval for a new prime minister. The possibility of a dissolution of parliament and calling for fresh elections remains on the table.