Thailand’s highest constitutional body has ordered Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step aside temporarily while a legal challenge seeking her removal plays out — a major blow to a government already facing political headwinds.
The court agreed to review a formal complaint submitted by 36 lawmakers, accusing Paetongtarn of violating ethical obligations. The complaint centers around a leaked phone discussion from June 15 with Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen, which was aimed at calming tensions over a territorial standoff but ended up sparking backlash.
That private call, once made public, ignited national outrage. In its wake, a key political party exited the ruling coalition, eroding Paetongtarn’s support in parliament and fueling calls for public protests demanding leadership change.
Paetongtarn’s recent political turmoil highlights the long-running rivalry between her family’s political faction and a powerful military-aligned elite — a feud that has dominated Thai politics for over 20 years and led to multiple coups and legal removals of prime ministers.
She responded to the suspension on Tuesday by acknowledging the court’s ruling and expressing regret over the phone call. In the call, she had bowed deeply to Hun Sen and openly criticized a Thai army official — a rare gesture that crossed political boundaries in a country where the military holds immense influence.
“My true intention in the leaked conversation, my true intention 100%, was to work for the country to maintain our sovereignty and save the lives of all our soldiers,” Paetongtarn told reporters.
Thrust into leadership just 10 months ago, the 37-year-old had little time to find her footing. Her rise followed the court-ordered disqualification of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethical misconduct.
As the fourth family member to become premier, Paetongtarn has been battling falling popularity and economic stagnation. Her approval rating plummeted to 9.2% in June — down sharply from nearly 31% in March, according to a recent public survey.
Financial markets responded quickly to the leadership shake-up, with Thai stocks rising by nearly 2% amid speculation that political instability may push the central bank toward further interest rate cuts.
While the court deliberates, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as interim prime minister. Paetongtarn, meanwhile, has been reassigned as culture minister as part of a broader cabinet adjustment. She has 15 days to present her defense.
Adding to the administration’s woes, Paetongtarn’s father — influential ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — is also navigating legal trouble in two separate cases this month.
Thaksin appeared in court on Tuesday to face allegations of defaming the monarchy, a grave charge in Thailand with penalties of up to 15 years per offense. He has rejected the accusations and reaffirmed his loyalty to the royal institution.
The case is tied to a 2015 interview given while he was in exile. Thaksin had lived abroad for over a decade before returning in 2023 to begin serving time for prior convictions involving misuse of power and financial misconduct.
Now 75, he avoided incarceration and instead stayed in hospital custody for six months due to health concerns. He was granted parole last February. However, the country’s highest court is now reviewing the legitimacy of that hospital stay — a decision that could see him sent back to prison.
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