Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over an ethics violation, ending her premiership after just one year and delivering a major blow to the Shinawatra political dynasty.
Paetongtarn, 39, Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister, is now the sixth leader from or backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family to be ousted by either the military or judiciary in a two-decade struggle between elected governments and conservative, royalist elites.
The decision deepens political uncertainty and weakens the fragile coalition led by her Pheu Thai party.
In a 6–3 ruling, the court stated that she had placed her private interests above those of the nation.
According to the verdict, “Due to a personal relationship that appeared aligned with Cambodia, the respondent was consistently willing to comply with or act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side,” adding that her actions “damaged the reputation of the country, causing a loss of public confidence.”
The case revolves around a leaked telephone call in June in which Paetongtarn appeared to defer to Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, during heightened tensions along the border.
Weeks later, fighting broke out and lasted five days.
Paetongtarn apologised over the call and insisted that her actions aimed to prevent a larger conflict, but the court ruled otherwise.
The ruling now clears the path for parliament to select a new prime minister, though political analysts warn that forming a government could be prolonged.
The Pheu Thai party, which holds a narrow majority in the coalition, is expected to lose negotiating power as rival factions seek to capitalise on the court’s decision.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the current cabinet will serve in a caretaker capacity until a successor is chosen.
Among the five individuals reportedly eligible for the role, only one Chaikasem Nitisiri, 77, a former attorney general and Pheu Thai member belongs to the ousted party.
Other potential candidates include retired former premier Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 military coup, and Anutin Charnvirakul, a deputy premier whose party recently exited the coalition in protest over the leaked call.
Political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot of Chulalongkorn University said the process will be complicated.
“Appointing a new prime minister will be difficult and may take considerable time. It’s not easy for all parties to align their interests. Pheu Thai will be at a disadvantage,” he explained.
The verdict has reignited public frustration over Thailand’s unstable politics, with the country’s economy projected to grow just 2.3 percent this year.
Any new Pheu Thai-led government would likely maintain only a slim parliamentary majority while facing a robust opposition with strong grassroots support pushing for early elections.
The ouster underscores the ongoing influence of Thailand’s judiciary and military over civilian governments and raises fresh questions about the Shinawatra family’s role in the country’s future political landscape.