Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended by Constitutional Court Amid Political Turmoil; Thaksin Faces Legal Heat
In a major blow to Thailand’s embattled government, the Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her official duties, pending the outcome of a high-profile case that seeks her removal from office.
The move has intensified the political crisis already engulfing her administration, which is facing growing discontent and instability on several fronts.
The court accepted a petition filed by 36 senators, accusing Paetongtarn of misconduct, dishonesty, and violation of constitutional ethical standards.
At the heart of the allegations is the leak of a politically sensitive phone conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and Cambodia’s former strongman leader Hun Sen—a diplomatic gaffe that has provoked fierce backlash domestically and strained Thailand’s political cohesion.
Suspension and Interim Leadership
The Constitutional Court, in a unanimous decision, said in an official statement:
“The court has considered the petition and unanimously accepts the case for consideration.”
Until the case is resolved, Paetongtarn has been relieved of her duties. She now has 15 days to formally respond to the charges.
In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has been appointed to serve as caretaker prime minister, ensuring the continuity of governmental operations. Despite the upheaval, the ruling coalition has attempted to project stability.
“Government work doesn’t stop. There is no problem,” said Tourism Minister and Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong, adding that Suriya is fully capable of stepping into the role temporarily.
Meanwhile, following a recent cabinet reshuffle, Paetongtarn will retain a role in the government as the new culture minister, signaling that the party is attempting to hold the coalition together even as challenges mount.
Fallout from Leaked Call and Political Ramifications
The controversial June 15 phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen was intended to reduce rising border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
However, the content of the conversation, which was leaked to the media, has caused severe domestic uproar.
In the call, Paetongtarn was perceived as overly deferential to the Cambodian veteran leader, and she reportedly criticized a Thai army commander—an action considered highly inappropriate in Thailand’s military-dominated political environment.
This move crossed a red line in a nation where the armed forces remain a powerful and politically sensitive institution. Though Paetongtarn later apologized and claimed her words were part of a negotiating strategy, the damage was already done.
The backlash has been swift. A key party has withdrawn from her coalition, leaving her alliance with a fragile and narrow majority in parliament.
A no-confidence vote is now expected soon, while protest movements have begun calling for her resignation.
Declining Popularity and Mounting Pressure
Paetongtarn’s political troubles come just ten months after she assumed office, marking a tumultuous debut for the 38-year-old, who is Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister and a political newcomer.
Her ascent came after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was ousted by the Constitutional Court for an unrelated ethical violation involving the appointment of a controversial minister.
Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stepped in as the face of the Pheu Thai Party, a political force deeply rooted in the Shinawatra family’s populist legacy.
Despite early enthusiasm surrounding her leadership, recent polls show her popularity has waned dramatically.
A nationwide opinion survey conducted from June 19–25 revealed that her approval rating had plummeted to 9.2%, down sharply from 30.9% in March. The dip reflects growing public frustration over her handling of both domestic politics and economic recovery.
Her government has struggled to rejuvenate an economy hit hard by sluggish growth, flagging exports, and a weakened tourism sector. Critics say her administration has failed to present a coherent strategy to address mounting economic challenges.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Legal Troubles Resurface
Adding to Paetongtarn’s political woes is the renewed legal scrutiny facing her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, the influential and polarizing figure often seen as the de facto power behind the Pheu Thai government.
On the same day as Paetongtarn’s suspension, Thaksin appeared in Bangkok’s Criminal Court to face charges under Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws.
Prosecutors allege that he insulted the monarchy during a 2015 media interview given while he was in self-imposed exile. If convicted, the 75-year-old tycoon could face up to 15 years in prison.
Thaksin’s legal team maintains that he has always upheld loyalty to the monarchy and denies all allegations. This case is one of two pending legal battles he faces in different courts this month.
Thaksin had returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years abroad to serve a jail sentence linked to past corruption and conflict-of-interest cases.
However, rather than being incarcerated, he spent six months under hospital detention, reportedly due to health issues. He was granted parole in February.
The Supreme Court is now reviewing the legitimacy of that hospital stay and could potentially order that he be sent back to prison.
A Critical Moment for the Shinawatra Legacy
This dual crisis—one facing Prime Minister Paetongtarn and the other confronting her father—has brought the Shinawatra dynasty to a critical juncture.
The Pheu Thai Party, once considered an unbeatable electoral machine, now appears politically weakened and under siege from both within and outside parliament.
Since its rise to prominence in 2001, the Shinawatra-led movement has weathered two military coups, several court-ordered government dissolutions, and prolonged legal battles.
However, the present moment poses one of the most significant challenges to its survival and influence in Thai politics.
