Thailand has once again been thrust into political turmoil, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was officially suspended by the Constitutional Court on July 1, 2025, pending an inquiry into an ethics complaint tied to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen. The decision was reached by a 7-2 majority vote, marking the second time in less than a year that a Thai prime minister has been removed from office over alleged violations of ministerial conduct and constitutional ethics.

The unfolding crisis not only reflects the volatile state of Thai politics but also threatens to further destabilise the country's already fragile governing coalition, reigniting public unrest and exposing divisions in Thailand's security and foreign policy apparatus.

The Leaked Call That Sparked a Crisis

At the heart of the controversy is an audio recording that surfaced in Cambodian media days after a fatal border clash between Thai and Cambodian military forces on May 28, 2025. The skirmish left one Cambodian soldier dead and further inflamed tensions along the long-disputed Thai-Cambodian frontier, particularly near the Preah Vihear temple, a hotspot of historical contention.

In the leaked call, PM Paetongtarn is heard speaking to Hun Sen, the former Cambodian prime minister and current Senate President, referring to him as "uncle" and criticising a regional Thai army commander involved in the clash. What particularly drew the ire of Thai nationalists and military circles was her remark:

"If there's anything you want, I will take care of it."

To many, the tone and content of the conversation were perceived as submissive, undermining Thailand’s national sovereignty and portraying the Prime Minister as overly conciliatory during a national security crisis.

Ethics Complaint and Judicial Intervention

In response, a group of conservative senators filed a formal complaint with the Constitutional Court, asserting that Paetongtarn's remarks breached ethical norms and ministerial responsibility as laid out in the Thai Constitution.

The Constitutional Court accepted the petition and, on July 1, issued an interim suspension order, effectively stripping Paetongtarn of her Prime Ministerial duties until a final ruling is delivered. The court’s brief noted the “need to protect the integrity of governance” as justification for the urgent suspension.

Though not a permanent removal, the ruling leaves Paetongtarn in a precarious position, especially as a separate investigation has been launched by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). If found guilty of misconduct, she could face permanent disqualification from public office.

Border Tensions and Coalition Fallout

The Thai-Cambodian border has long been a flashpoint, but the timing of Paetongtarn’s call — coming right after military casualties — made her diplomatic tone appear naive and compromising. Instead of taking a firm stance, her private overtures to Hun Sen were seen as undermining Thailand’s negotiating position, which triggered a backlash among military factions and coalition partners.

One of the most vocal critics was the Bhumjaithai Party, a key member of the ruling coalition. The party withdrew from the government shortly after the call’s contents became public, citing “irreconcilable differences” on national security policy.

Cabinet Reshuffle and Royal Approval

In a desperate move to save the collapsing government, King Maha Vajiralongkorn on July 1 approved a major Cabinet reshuffle, initiated just hours before the Prime Minister’s suspension.

Among the notable changes:

• Former Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party was removed

• Several new appointees from smaller pro-military parties were inducted

• Paetongtarn had also announced plans to take over the Culture Ministry, a dual role that was viewed by many as an overreach

However, these attempts at consolidating power failed to stop the tsunami of public outrage and legal intervention.

Public Protests and Growing Unrest

In the days leading up to and following the court's ruling, Bangkok witnessed a surge in anti-government protests. Demonstrators, mainly aligned with conservative and pro-military groups, poured into the streets waving Thai flags and chanting slogans like:

“Betrayal of the nation will not be tolerated.”

Many of the protesters wore military fatigues and called for the armed forces to protect Thailand’s honour. The symbolism underscored the growing influence of military-nationalist sentiment in public discourse.

A Pattern of PM Suspensions in Thailand

This is not the first time Thailand has seen a Prime Minister suspended over ethics violations. In August 2024, Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was suspended after appointing Pichit Chuenban — a former convict — as a minister. Pichit had previously served prison time for attempting to bribe the Supreme Court in the infamous “lunchbox cash” scandal, which was also linked to the Shinawatra political dynasty.

Srettha’s ouster ultimately collapsed his Cabinet, ushering in Paetongtarn’s rise. Now, less than a year later, history is repeating itself, suggesting a structural fragility in Thailand’s political system, where coalition alliances are brittle, and judicial scrutiny is unrelenting.

Shinawatra Legacy at the Centre of Crisis Again

The Shinawatra family has long been polarising in Thai politics. Paetongtarn, daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, had campaigned on a platform of progressive governance, economic reform, and regional diplomacy. However, her lineage continues to draw suspicion from conservative and royalist factions, who view the Shinawatras as a threat to traditional power structures.

This latest scandal could further alienate her political base and damage her party’s credibility, especially if legal disqualification follows the suspension.

What Lies Ahead?

• The Constitutional Court will now proceed with a full inquiry into the ethics complaint.

• The NACC may issue recommendations for prosecution or disqualification depending on their findings.

• Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is expected to act as interim Prime Minister.

• The coalition government remains fractured, with more resignations expected in coming weeks.

Conclusion

The suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a leaked diplomatic phone call marks yet another episode of judicial intervention and political volatility in Thailand. The fallout from the controversial conversation with Cambodia’s Hun Sen has not only exposed ethical vulnerabilities but has also reshaped the coalition landscape, deepened public mistrust, and revived conservative protests across the country.

With her political future uncertain and a high-profile ethics case pending, Paetongtarn’s downfall may further entrench military-aligned and royalist interests in Thai politics — a development with significant implications for Thailand’s democracy, regional diplomacy, and stability in Southeast Asia.

As Thailand faces its second prime ministerial suspension within a year, the world watches closely, wondering whether constitutional accountability or political vendetta is truly steering the future of its governance.

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