Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday, August 29, 2025, dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after ruling that she violated constitutional ethics during a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
The court, in a 7–2 decision, found that Paetongtarn’s remarks in the June 15 call compromised Thailand’s sovereignty and demonstrated a lack of integrity expected of the country’s leader.
The ruling led to her immediate removal and the dissolution of her cabinet.
The 17-minute call, which was intended to ease rising border tensions, drew widespread criticism after Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle,” offered to “take care of anything he needed,” and criticized a Thai military commander.
The conversation was leaked in mid-June and later released publicly by Hun Sen, sparking outrage in Thailand, mass protests in Bangkok, and the withdrawal of support from the Bhumjaithai Party, a key coalition partner.
On July 1, 2025, the Constitutional Court had suspended Paetongtarn from her duties after 36 senators petitioned against her, alleging a breach of ethical standards.
READ ALSO: PICTORIAL: Thai Police Rescue Eight-Year-Old Boy Raised Among Dogs, Unable to Speak
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit was named acting prime minister, while Paetongtarn retained a cabinet role as culture minister during the suspension.
On July 3, Phumtham Wechayachai was formally sworn in as acting prime minister to lead the interim government while the case proceeded.
Paetongtarn, 39, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister when she assumed office in August 2024. Her dismissal marks the third time a member of the Shinawatra family has been removed from power, following the ouster of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a 2006 coup and the dismissal of her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, by court ruling in 2014.
Her removal is expected to deepen Thailand’s political uncertainty at a time of economic challenges and sensitive regional relations.