BANGKOK – Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after ruling that she violated ethical standards in a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
The June call, leaked by Hun Sen himself, revealed Paetongtarn referring to him as “uncle” while criticising the Thai army. Judges voted six to three that her conduct undermined national security and created doubts about whether her actions served Cambodia’s interests over Thailand’s.
Paetongtarn, daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, accepted the ruling but maintained she was trying to prevent conflict. The controversy erupted during rising border tensions with Cambodia, which later escalated into deadly clashes.
Her dismissal marks the fifth time since 2008 that a Thai prime minister has been removed by the court, and the third member of the Shinawatra family forced from office, after Thaksin in 2006 and Yingluck in 2014. Parliament will now select a replacement from registered candidates, with both Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai leaders among the front-runners.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.