Thailand - Politics - 2025
A severe political crisis unfolded in Thailand in early September 2025 following the court-ordered removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Her ruling Pheu Thai party is now attempting to dissolve parliament and force a new election as a rival political faction tries to form a government, plunging the country into fresh turmoil. The latest crisis was directly triggered by a series of contentious judicial decisions widely seen as a reassertion of power by Thailand's royalist and military establishment.
Unlike his highly revered predecessor, King Vajiralongkorn is a more divisive and less charismatic figure. The monarchy's vulnerability and the ongoing consolidation of power have become a central element in Thailand's political instability. The king has asserted his authority more openly than his father. This has involved increasing royal command over military regiments and taking personal control of the Crown Property Bureau, which manages the royal family's vast wealth. Recent political crises have seen unprecedented public criticism of the monarchy, particularly from younger, pro-democracy generations. These demonstrations have publicly contested the role of royal power, a once-unthinkable challenge in Thai politics.
This political crisis was the latest in a long-running power struggle between populist, democratically elected factions and the traditional, conservative establishment. : Analysts note that Thailand remains beholden to an unelected establishment, including the military, judiciary, and royal family, which routinely uses judicial rulings and other means to undermine democratic outcomes. Prolonged political uncertainty raises the risk that conservative factions could push for a military takeover, similar to previous coups in 2006 and 2014. Amid the political chaos, the Thai economy faces continued challenges. Former PM Srettha's policies focused on economic revival, but the political turmoil has created further uncertainty, particularly concerning relations with major trade partners like the United States.
On August 29, 2025, the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn from office for violating ethical standards. This followed a scandal in June involving a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader, Hun Sen, during a border dispute. Critics accused Paetongtarn of being submissive to the Cambodian leader and questioning the judgment of a Thai general. The court's ruling against Paetongtarn came after it had already dissolved the popular opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) in August 2024 for campaigning to amend the country's strict lèse-majesté (insulting the monarchy) law. The MFP had won the 2023 election but was blocked from forming a government. The party's successor was the People's Party.
The Thai Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office based on charges that her conduct during a private phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen violated the country's ethical standards for ministers. The charges were initially filed by a group of 36 senators in July 2025. The key elements of the charges against Paetongtarn centered on her conduct during the conversation, which was leaked and made public.
The court determined that Paetongtarn's statements in the call, including criticism of a Thai army general, lacked "demonstrable honesty and integrity". The court considered her comments as showing "the weakness of domestic [Thai] politics" and prioritizing personal political interests over national security. The court found that Paetongtarn's personal relationship with Hun Sen appeared to lead her to "act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side". She referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" during the call and reportedly stated that if he "wants anything, just tell me, and I will take care of it". Critics and the court viewed her apparent deference to a foreign leader as damaging to national interests, particularly amid increased border tensions.
Paetongtarn's apparent criticism of a Thai military commander was viewed by critics and the court as creating "a societal division" and weakening the country. This was especially sensitive given the Thai military's influence in politics and the escalating border dispute with Cambodia that would soon lead to deadly clashes.
In her defense, Paetongtarn apologized for the discomfort the call caused but maintained that her actions aimed to de-escalate the border situation and save lives. She claimed her familiar tone was a "negotiating tactic". Despite acknowledging her intent to serve national interests, the Constitutional Court's majority opinion (6-3) found that her conversation still constituted a serious violation of ethical standards. The court ruled that her actions caused the public to "lose trust and faith" in the premiership and that she failed to uphold the nation's pride.
The ruling is part of a pattern of judicial interventions in Thailand's politics, where courts and the military have frequently removed democratically elected leaders from power. Paetongtarn was the latest member of the influential Shinawatra family to be removed from power by the judiciary or military. The family dynasty, which includes her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck, dominated Thai politics for decades, repeatedly clashing with the royalist and military elite.
The ruling created a power vacuum and a precarious political stalemate. Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party saw its coalition weakened by the defection of a major partner, the Bhumjaithai party, following the phone call scandal. Facing a fractured government and a razor-thin majority, the party was now moving to dissolve parliament in an attempt to trigger a general election.
Simultaneously, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul was attempting to form a new government. His faction has already announced it has secured enough support to proceed. The process for parliament to elect a new prime minister has begun, though it could be protracted. Meanwhile, a deputy prime minister was serving as the interim leader.
Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party was seeking to form the next government but was prepared to dissolve parliament, a senior party official said 02 September 2025, a move that could trigger a general election. In a sign of deepening political turmoil as two rival camps vied to form the next government, Pheu Thai Secretary General Sorawong Thienthong said the party was weighing its options between nominating its own candidate Chaikasem Nitisiri for the premiership, or calling a new election. Sorawong's remarks came as People's Party, the biggest force in parliament, met for a second day to discuss who it might back to form the next government, either Pheu Thai, or Bhumjaithai, a renegade party that quit the governing coalition in June and was mounting its own challenge.
Veteran Thai politician and staunch royalist Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative opposition Bhumjaithai party, won a parliamentary vote on 05 September 2025 to become the country's 32nd Prime Minister, following last week's dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra after the Constitutional Court found she had violated ethical rules. The battle for the position of Thailand's new Prime Minister was played out between Anutin and Pheu Thai candidate Chaikasem Nitisiri. Anutin's path to the prime minister's office is supported by the People's Party with 143 votes, along with an additional 146 votes from other parties, enabling the formation of a minority government, according to Thailand's media outlet the Nation Thailand. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on 03 September 2025 confirmed that he had submitted a royal decree to dissolve parliament for snap polls. Phumtham said he took the decision because of growing political instability and economic challenges, Thai Enquirer reported. Phumtham said the People’s Party’s decision to support Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister while staying in opposition could lead to a weak minority government. "In such an unstable political environment, combined with ongoing economic challenges, restoring confidence in and about the country is essential," he said.
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