Thailand’s Constitutional Court Removes PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Over Ethics Violation

Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office on Friday over an ethics violation, ending her tenure after just one year. The decision marks another significant blow to the Shinawatra political dynasty and could lead to renewed political unrest.
Paetongtarn, the youngest person ever to hold the position, is the sixth prime minister associated with the Shinawatra family to be ousted by either the military or the judiciary, in an ongoing power struggle that has defined Thai politics for over two decades.
The court ruled that she had violated ethical standards during a leaked phone call in June. In that call, she appeared to show deference to Cambodia’s influential former leader Hun Sen—previously an ally of the Shinawatra family—at a time when the two nations were on the verge of armed conflict. A border skirmish broke out several weeks later and lasted for five days.
The verdict clears the way for a new prime minister to be elected by parliament, a process that could take time. Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party, now weakened by the ruling, faces challenges in maintaining a fragile coalition with a very slim majority.
In a 6-3 decision, the court concluded that Paetongtarn had prioritised personal interests over national ones, causing reputational harm to the country and diminishing public trust.

“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,” the court said.

Her removal brings an early end to the leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter and political heir. At 39 years old, Paetongtarn was relatively new to politics when she stepped into the role following the surprise dismissal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the same court a year ago.
Paetongtarn called for reconciliation in the wake of the decision.

“All I wanted was to safeguard the lives of people, whether soldiers or civilians. I was determined to do all I can to protect their lives before the violent clashes,” she told reporters.