Thailand’s Constitutional Court has sacked Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet, plunging the kingdom into political uncertainty. The ruling comes over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, centred on a phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that sparked domestic outrage.
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“First of all, with due respect to the justice system, I acknowledge the court’s verdict,” Paetongtarn told reporters outside Government House. “But as a Thai person, I insist on my sincerity … to work for the country. My intentions were for the lives of the people, both soldiers and civilians. I did not seek personal benefit.”
The 39 year-old leader, daughter of billionaire ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended last month after the controversial call during which she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and a Thai military commander as her “opponent” was leaked online. Conservatives accused her of undermining the military and favouring Cambodia, while her coalition partner withdrew support, almost collapsing her government.
A nine-judge panel ruled six to three that Paetongtarn had failed to uphold the ethical standards required of a prime minister, effectively ending her tenure. The court also dissolved her cabinet, marking the sixth Shinawatra-era premier to be removed by the judiciary.
“Her actions have led to a loss of trust, prioritising personal interest over national interest, which fuelled public suspicion that she was siding with Cambodia,” one judge said, reading the verdict.
The decision comes amid escalating border tensions, which in July culminated in the deadliest clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces in decades. Over 40 people were killed, and 300,000 displaced from border towns. Relations between the two countries remain strained after the phone call was made public.
Thailand now faces a political vacuum. Paetongtarn led a fragile coalition of smaller conservative parties, and under the constitution, only candidates nominated in the 2023 general election are eligible to succeed her. However, many of these names are either ineligible, lack support, or are otherwise unsuitable, leaving no clear path for a successor.
“This is a deeply uncertain period for Thailand,” said a political analyst. “Without a clear candidate or mechanism to call new elections, the kingdom may face prolonged instability.”
Paetongtarn, who maintained her actions were motivated by national interest, said, “I intend to save lives… that’s what I intended to communicate.”
The ousting adds to a pattern of judicial interventions against the Shinawatra political movement, which has clashed for decades with Thailand’s conservative, pro-military elite. Only Thaksin himself has survived the court’s scrutiny; his successors have faced removal for reasons ranging from corruption to seemingly trivial conduct.
The latest ruling follows a week after Thaksin, 76, was cleared of royal insult charges in a criminal court case that could have seen him jailed for 15 years.
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