Thai Court Dismisses Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Over Phone Call Controversy
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Center-Leaning
Why: The reporting is focused on constitutional and political developments without strong ideological framing. The tone is factual with limited interpretive language.
Court Decision
Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. The judges ruled that she violated constitutional ethics during a phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.
The decision took effect immediately. Paetongtarn had been suspended from duty since July 1, when the court agreed to review the case. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has been handling her responsibilities since then.
The Leaked Phone Call
The controversy centers on a call made on June 15 between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen. The conversation was intended to ease border tensions following a violent clash that killed a Cambodian soldier in May.
However, the leaked audio raised public anger in Thailand. Critics accused Paetongtarn of being overly friendly in discussing sensitive territorial issues and of disparaging a senior Thai army general.
Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades before handing power to his son Hun Manet in 2023, publicly released the recording online.
Border Conflict
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated sharply in mid-2025. The May incident that killed a Cambodian soldier was followed by five days of clashes in June. These battles left dozens dead and forced more than 260,000 people from their homes.
The disputed territory along the Thai-Cambodian border has been a recurring flashpoint for decades. Paetongtarn’s outreach to Hun Sen was intended as a diplomatic gesture, but instead deepened domestic political divisions in Thailand.
Political Fallout
The ruling is a serious setback for the Pheu Thai Party, which Paetongtarn leads. Her coalition government had already weakened after the Bhumjaithai Party, its largest partner, withdrew support over the scandal.
With a slim parliamentary majority, the future of the coalition is now uncertain. Lawmakers face pressure to reorganize the government or call early elections.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Influence
The dismissal is also a blow to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father. Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup but has continued to shape Thai politics by backing proxy parties, including Pheu Thai.
Thaksin’s popularity stems from his populist policies and his fortune from the telecommunications sector. His political influence, however, has repeatedly clashed with Thailand’s military and judiciary.
Paetongtarn’s removal underscores the ongoing struggle between the Shinawatra political network and the country’s conservative establishment.
What Comes Next
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is acting as caretaker leader. Political analysts say the government may struggle to remain stable without strong coalition backing. The Constitutional Court’s ruling may intensify debates over judicial influence in Thai politics.
It also raises questions about how Thailand will manage its strained relationship with Cambodia after recent clashes. For now, Thailand enters a period of political uncertainty, with its ruling coalition weakened and regional tensions unresolved.
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