Just as a court decision paved her way to power last year, another ruling has now cut her tenure short. Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The court ruled 7–2 in favor of her suspension following a petition filed by 36 senators seeking her dismissal for violating ethical standards.
The suspension caps a tumultuous period, triggered by the June 15 leak of the phone call in which Paetongtarn appeared deferential to Hun Sen—referring to him as “uncle”—and spoke critically of a Thai military commander. The call, later released in full by Hun Sen, came at a time when Paetongtarn and her ruling Pheu Thai party were already grappling with a weak economy, coalition instability, and a border dispute with Cambodia. Although Paetongtarn apologised and described the call as part of a negotiation tactic, it drew swift backlash, particularly for her comments on the military, which plays a powerful role in Thai politics.
Political fallout was immediate. The Bhumjaithai party, a key coalition partner, exited the government within hours of the leak, leaving her parliamentary majority in jeopardy. Thousands of protesters rallied in central Bangkok, braving heavy monsoon rains while chanting “Ung Ing, get out”—using her nickname—and holding signs labelling her a “traitor” and a “sell out.”
Paetongtarn addressed the controversy outside Government House: “I want to apologize to people who are upset by all of this,” she told reporters. “I will continue to work for the country as a Thai citizen. I don’t have any bad intentions.”
In response to the crisis, Thailand’s king approved a cabinet reshuffle. Paetongtarn was appointed culture minister, a role in which she has pledged to promote Thai culture internationally.
Her approval ratings have suffered. A recent opinion poll showed her popularity had dropped to 9.2% in June, down from 30.9% in March.
Paetongtarn rose to office last August after a court removed her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin. Despite having no prior experience in government, she became Thailand’s youngest prime minister and the third Shinawatra family member to hold the position. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and aunt, Yingluck, were also removed from office by judicial rulings.
"I'm a daddy's girl," she told parliament in March. "I am like that completely. I am a daddy's girl, 100%."
(With inputs from Reuters and TOI)
The suspension caps a tumultuous period, triggered by the June 15 leak of the phone call in which Paetongtarn appeared deferential to Hun Sen—referring to him as “uncle”—and spoke critically of a Thai military commander. The call, later released in full by Hun Sen, came at a time when Paetongtarn and her ruling Pheu Thai party were already grappling with a weak economy, coalition instability, and a border dispute with Cambodia. Although Paetongtarn apologised and described the call as part of a negotiation tactic, it drew swift backlash, particularly for her comments on the military, which plays a powerful role in Thai politics.
Political fallout was immediate. The Bhumjaithai party, a key coalition partner, exited the government within hours of the leak, leaving her parliamentary majority in jeopardy. Thousands of protesters rallied in central Bangkok, braving heavy monsoon rains while chanting “Ung Ing, get out”—using her nickname—and holding signs labelling her a “traitor” and a “sell out.”
Paetongtarn addressed the controversy outside Government House: “I want to apologize to people who are upset by all of this,” she told reporters. “I will continue to work for the country as a Thai citizen. I don’t have any bad intentions.”
In response to the crisis, Thailand’s king approved a cabinet reshuffle. Paetongtarn was appointed culture minister, a role in which she has pledged to promote Thai culture internationally.
Her approval ratings have suffered. A recent opinion poll showed her popularity had dropped to 9.2% in June, down from 30.9% in March.
Paetongtarn rose to office last August after a court removed her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin. Despite having no prior experience in government, she became Thailand’s youngest prime minister and the third Shinawatra family member to hold the position. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and aunt, Yingluck, were also removed from office by judicial rulings.
"I'm a daddy's girl," she told parliament in March. "I am like that completely. I am a daddy's girl, 100%."
(With inputs from Reuters and TOI)
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