Thai Court Ousts Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over Ethical Controversy
In a shocking turn of events, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed by the Constitutional Court on August 29, 2025. The ruling, a 6-3 majority decision, came following a leaked phone call that revealed serious ethical breaches in a conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The recording of the call was leaked and publicly posted by Hun Sen, causing widespread public anger. The leaked conversation showed Paetongtarn appearing overly deferential to Hun Sen and disparaging a Thai military general, leading to her dismissal.
Paetongtarn, at 39 years old, was Thailand's youngest prime minister. However, her tenure was abruptly truncated, ending after just a year. The dismissal marks Paetongtarn as the sixth Shinawatra-affiliated leader to be removed under similar circumstances, raising concerns about the political stability of the country.
The Shinawatra political family has faced multiple judicial or military oustings over the past two decades. Paetongtarn, a member of this family, was no exception.
Following her dismissal, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai assumed the role of caretaker leader. The parliament is now moving to elect a new prime minister, with potential successors including Chaikasem Nitisiri, Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Anutin Charnvirakul.
Anutin Charnvirakul, 58 years old, is the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. He is currently the main candidate for the next Prime Minister of Thailand.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party, which supported Paetongtarn, faces weakened bargaining power, raising concerns about coalition stability and delays in forming a new government. The economic growth in Thailand is tepid, around 2.3%, and reform momentum has stalled, adding to the political unrest.
Public trust is wavering in the political environment, with many Thai citizens calling for transparency and accountability in the political system. The leaked phone call has further fuelled these sentiments, highlighting the need for ethical leadership in the country.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former military leader, is also among the potential successors for the prime minister position. His return to power could signal a shift towards a more authoritarian political system, a concern for many Thai citizens.
As Thailand navigates through this political crisis, the future of the country's political landscape remains uncertain. The election of a new prime minister will be a crucial step towards restoring public trust and stabilising the political environment.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
- Right-wing Israeli minister supports controversial plan for West Bank settlement expansion
