BANGKOK, July 1: Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties amid an ongoing case that seeks her dismissal for alleged ethical misconduct, thrusting the Southeast Asian nation deeper into political turmoil.
The court accepted a petition filed by 36 senators accusing the 38-year-old premier of dishonesty and breaching constitutional ethical standards. The case centers on a leaked telephone conversation with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which Paetongtarn appeared to criticize a top Thai military commander—an act seen as a breach of political protocol in a country where the military remains deeply influential.
“The court has considered the petition and unanimously accepts the case for consideration,” the Constitutional Court stated. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will assume the role of caretaker prime minister while the case proceeds. Paetongtarn has been given 15 days to respond to the court and will retain a cabinet position as culture minister following a recent reshuffle.
Tourism Minister and Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong tried to downplay the disruption, saying, “Government work doesn’t stop, there is no problem. Suriya will become caretaker prime minister.”
The suspension comes at a fragile time for Paetongtarn’s 10-month-old government, which is facing mounting criticism over economic stagnation, internal divisions, and a shrinking parliamentary majority. A coalition party recently withdrew support, increasing the likelihood of a no-confidence motion in parliament. Protesters have also taken to the streets, calling for her resignation.
The controversy erupted after a June 15 call with Hun Sen aimed at de-escalating border tensions. During the call, Paetongtarn was heard making deferential remarks and undermining Thai military leadership, sparking domestic outrage. She has since apologized, explaining that her comments were part of a negotiation tactic.
The political firestorm has placed renewed scrutiny on the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra political dynasty. Paetongtarn, the daughter of influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, entered politics as a novice and became the country’s youngest premier after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed for ethical violations in 2024.
Her suspension coincides with legal troubles facing Thaksin, who appeared in Bangkok’s Criminal Court Tuesday to face charges of insulting the monarchy—an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The case, stemming from a 2015 interview during his exile, threatens to further destabilize the party’s standing.
Thaksin, who returned from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023, had served part of a corruption sentence under hospital detention before being released on parole. The Supreme Court is set to review the legitimacy of that hospital stay later this month and may order him back to prison.
With Paetongtarn’s popularity plummeting—from 30.9% in March to just 9.2% in a recent poll—the ruling Pheu Thai Party faces its toughest political challenge in years. The coming weeks could determine whether the Shinawatra family’s political influence can survive yet another storm.
