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Thailand's PM Paetongtarn ousted amid Cambodia border clash fallout

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 August 2025 11:06 AM

Thailand's Constitutional Court has dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over an ethics violation, plunging the country into fresh political uncertainty.

The court's ruling came amid controversy surrounding a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, father of Cambodia's current premier.

Despite Paetongtarn's apology and explanation that the call aimed to prevent war, the court found she showed a "personal relationship that appeared aligned with Cambodia," acting consistently in line with Cambodian interests.

Paetongtarn, who served as prime minister for about a year, lost her position immediately following the ruling.

The decision has sparked concerns over political stability in Thailand, which has faced ongoing tensions between the Shinawatra political dynasty and conservative military-backed forces for more than two decades.

The phone call came weeks before armed clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed Emerald Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet.

The conflict lasted five days, leaving at least 12 people dead and 35 injured, and displacing more than 260,000 across both countries.

Conservative lawmakers accused Paetongtarn of "bending the knee" to Cambodia and undermining the Thai military, while her main coalition partner walked out in protest, nearly collapsing her government.

In the private conversation, Paetongtarn reportedly referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and called a Thai military commander her "opponent," raising questions about informal diplomatic conduct and the military's political influence.

Paetongtarn, daughter of ex-Prime Minister and influential tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, was a political newcomer thrust into the premiership after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was also ousted by the Constitutional Court a year earlier.

She was Thailand's youngest prime minister and the sixth leader linked to the Shinawatra family removed by military or judicial actions amid a long-running power struggle between the Shinawatras and conservative royalist forces.

The court's decision leaves Thailand searching for a new leader. Five candidates are eligible, but only one, Chaikasem Nitisiri—a 77-year-old former attorney general with limited cabinet experience—is from Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the current cabinet will serve in a caretaker role until the House of Representatives elects a new prime minister, with no deadline set for the vote.

Political analysts say forming a new government will be challenging due to narrow majorities and rising opposition pressure calling for early elections.

Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said, "Appointing a new prime minister will be difficult and may take considerable time. It's not easy for all parties to align their interests. Pheu Thai will be at a disadvantage."

The ruling comes amid simmering public frustration over stalled reforms and a sluggish economy, which Thailand's central bank forecasts to grow just 2.3% this year.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia had escalated following the July border clashes, the worst since fighting from 2008 to 2011. The two countries declared an unconditional ceasefire on July 28, brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.