Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties while it hears a case seeking her removal from office, escalating pressure on a government already facing significant political and public backlash.
The court confirmed it had accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing Ms Paetongtarn of dishonesty and violating constitutional ethics following the leak of a politically sensitive phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen.
The controversy over the call — during which Ms Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and labelled a Thai military official as an “opponent” — has sparked public outrage, accusations of deference to Cambodia, and questions over her handling of border disputes. Ms Paetongtarn later claimed her language was a diplomatic tactic and has since apologised.
A court statement said there was “reasonable cause to suspect” a constitutional breach. In a 7–2 decision, judges agreed to proceed with the case. While suspended as prime minister, Ms Paetongtarn will remain in cabinet as culture minister following a recent reshuffle. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as acting prime minister in the meantime. She has 15 days to respond to the allegations.
Speaking to reporters, Ms Paetongtarn said she accepted the court’s decision:
“I want to apologise to people who are upset by all of this. I will continue to work for the country as a Thai citizen.”
The political fallout has already triggered instability. A key party recently exited her coalition, leaving her with a narrow parliamentary majority and increasing the likelihood of a no-confidence motion. Over the weekend, thousands protested in Bangkok, demanding her resignation.
The crisis adds to the challenges faced by the Pheu Thai Party, long led by the influential Shinawatra family. Ms Paetongtarn, the daughter of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of ex-leader Yingluck Shinawatra, is the third family member to hold Thailand’s top office. Both of her predecessors were removed from power — Thaksin by a coup in 2006, Yingluck by court ruling in 2014.
Ms Paetongtarn, who became Thailand’s youngest prime minister after replacing Srettha Thavisin (dismissed for an ethics violation), has seen her popularity plummet. A recent opinion poll showed her approval rating had dropped to just 9.2% in June, down from 30.9% in March, as her government struggles to reinvigorate a sluggish economy.
Meanwhile, her father Thaksin Shinawatra is facing separate legal troubles. On Tuesday, he appeared in Bangkok’s Criminal Court over a lese-majesty charge related to a 2015 interview, during which he allegedly insulted Thailand’s monarchy — a charge that carries up to 15 years in prison. He denies the accusation.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in exile to serve a sentence for abuse of power and conflict of interest but avoided jail time, instead spending six months in hospital detention before being released on parole. The Supreme Court is now reviewing the legitimacy of that hospital stay and could send him back to prison.
