Thai Constitutional Court Removes Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Over Ethical Misconduct

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has officially removed suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after determining she violated ethical standards in her handling of a border conflict with Cambodia.

The court ruled on Friday that Paetongtarn’s actions during a phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, amounted to serious misconduct, ultimately leading to her dismissal.

This decision marks the fifth time a Thai prime minister has been ousted by the judiciary since 2008, deepening political uncertainty in the country and setting the stage for potential snap elections.

The nine-judge panel, largely seen as aligned with Thailand’s royalist military establishment, found that Paetongtarn had jeopardized national interests during her conversation with Hun Sen. The phone call, which was leaked to the media, showed the prime minister addressing the Cambodian leader as “uncle” and criticizing a senior Thai army officer as an “opponent” amid an escalating border dispute. The situation ultimately escalated into armed clashes, leaving dozens dead and displacing thousands on both sides of the border.

The court ruled that Paetongtarn had placed her personal interests above those of the nation, undermining public trust in her leadership. The decision, passed by a majority vote of 6 to 3, concluded that her tenure as prime minister was effectively terminated, effective immediately.

Following the verdict, Paetongtarn defended her actions, claiming that her decisions were driven by a desire to protect the nation. She called for political unity, stating, “My intentions were for the benefit of the country, not for personal gain. In times like this, it is crucial that we come together to ensure our nation’s stability.”

Paetongtarn’s dismissal is another blow to the Shinawatra family, with this ruling following closely on the heels of the ousting of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was also removed by the court last year over similar ethical violations.

As Thailand grapples with this latest political upheaval, the nation faces an uncertain future, with a possible snap election now looming on the horizon.