Thailand Court Removes PM Paetongtarn Over Cambodia Conflict

Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra along with her cabinet due to her involvement in a border conflict with Cambodia. The court's nine judges determined that Paetongtarn did not uphold the ethical standards required of a prime minister.

This ruling was influenced by a leaked phone conversation from June, in which she was heard conversing with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.During the call, she seemed weak and submissive when the two disagreed, especially as their two countries were on the verge of armed conflict. Weeks later, fighting broke out and ended after five days.

Paetongtarn, who is Thailand's youngest prime minister, and is by no means alone as the sixth member or ally of the Shinawatra family to be removed from power by either the courts or the military in the last twenty years.

• PM Paetongtarn dismissed over Cambodia conflict and leaked phone call.
• Court cites ethical breach, loss of public trust in leadership.
• Pheu Thai’s fragile coalition risks collapse as new PM vote looms.

With her dismissal, parliament will now be convened to select a new prime minister. But this can take some time. With her party, the Pheu Thai party, losing negotiating power over the next few days, they will be challenged to maintain an alliance that was weak and held only a slim majority.

Also Read: Thailand Holds Its Breath as Prime Minister Faces Court Decision

The court stated the politician had placed her personal interests ahead of the nations during her communication with Hun Sen, exacerbating a loss of public trust and confidence in her leadership.