On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties, pending a case seeking her dismissal, heaping further pressure onto a government that is already under fire from multiple quarters. In a statement, the court revealed it had accepted a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards, in violation of the constitution, stemming from a leaked politically sensitive phone conversation with Cambodia's influential former leader, Hun Sen.
As the court deliberates on the case against her, the government is expected to be temporarily led by a deputy prime minister in a caretaker capacity, while Paetongtarn, following a cabinet reshuffle, will retain her seat as the new culture minister. The government did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding her suspension.
The leaked call with the seasoned Cambodian politician sparked widespread domestic outrage and has weakened Paetongtarn's coalition, which now holds a razor-thin majority. A key party has deserted the alliance and is anticipated to soon seek a vote of no confidence in parliament, amidst demands from protest groups for the premier's resignation.
During a June 15 call intended to de-escalate border tensions with Cambodia, the 38-year-old Paetongtarn groveled before Hun Sen and criticized a Thai army commander—a major taboo in a country where the military wields considerable influence. She has since apologized, asserting that her remarks were merely a negotiating tactic.
Paetongtarn's struggles, just ten months into her premiership, underscore the dwindling strength of the Pheu Thai Party—the populist behemoth of the billionaire Shinawatra dynasty that has dominated Thai elections since 2001, enduring military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and prime ministers.
For Paetongtarn, a political novice, her tenure has been a baptism of fire. She was thrust into power as Thailand's youngest premier, replacing Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court for ethics violations stemming from the appointment of a former inmate as a minister.
Paetongtarn's government has also grappled with revitalizing a faltering economy, and her popularity has plummeted dramatically. An opinion poll conducted from June 19-25 and released at the weekend revealed her approval rating had sunk to 9.2%, down from 30.9% in March.
Paetongtarn is not alone in her troubles. Her influential father, Thaksin Shinawatra—the driving force behind her government—faces legal challenges in two different courts this month. The divisive tycoon appeared at his first hearing at Bangkok's Criminal Court on Tuesday, charged with insulting Thailand's powerful monarchy—a grave offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Thaksin denies the allegations and has repeatedly pledged allegiance to the crown.
The case stems from a 2015 media interview Thaksin gave while in self-imposed exile. He returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years abroad to serve a prison sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Thaksin, 75, avoided jail and spent six months in hospital detention on medical grounds before being released on parole in February last year. The Supreme Court will scrutinize his hospital stay this month and could potentially revoke his parole and send him back to jail.
