BANGKOK — Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has been temporarily sidelined from her duties after the Constitutional Court accepted a case seeking her removal from office. The decision has added another layer of pressure to an already embattled government facing internal rifts, protests, and plummeting popularity.
The case against the 38-year-old premier centers around a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. In the call — which was meant to ease tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border — Paetongtarn was heard criticizing a senior Thai army official, a move that sparked outrage in a country where the military holds considerable sway. A group of 36 senators filed the petition, accusing her of violating ethical standards laid out in the constitution. Paetongtarn later apologized, saying her remarks were a negotiation tactic.
While the court reviews the case, one of the deputy prime ministers is expected to step in as acting head of government. Paetongtarn will, however, remain in the cabinet as culture minister after a recent reshuffle.
The timing couldn’t be worse for her coalition, which now teeters on the edge of collapse after a key party left the alliance and is reportedly preparing a no-confidence motion. Outside parliament, protestors are also ramping up calls for her resignation.
Paetongtarn’s rise to the top just 10 months ago marked a fresh chapter for the powerful Shinawatra family, long a dominant force in Thai politics. But the challenges have come fast and fierce. Her party, Pheu Thai, is facing dwindling support, and a recent poll showed her approval rating has dropped from nearly 31% in March to just over 9% by late June.
Adding to the turmoil is her father, Thaksin Shinawatra — the billionaire former PM and political heavyweight who once led the family’s populist movement. He appeared in court this week on charges of insulting the monarchy, a highly sensitive issue in Thailand that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Thaksin, who recently returned from 15 years in exile, denies the accusations and says he remains loyal to the crown.
Despite being sentenced in earlier corruption cases, the 75-year-old spent just six months in hospital detention and was released on parole in February. Now, the Supreme Court is reviewing whether that hospital stay was legitimate — and could potentially send him back to jail.
With the political landscape in flux and the economy struggling to recover, Thailand’s leadership crisis is deepening. The coming weeks will likely determine not only the fate of Paetongtarn’s government but also the future of one of the country’s most influential political dynasties.
