THAILAND’S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OUSTS PRIME MINISTER PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA OVER BORDER ROW WITH CAMBODIA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Thailand has plunged into political turmoil after the Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia.
Paetongtarn, daughter of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended from office on July 1 following allegations that she failed to defend Thailand’s interests during a leaked June phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
In a six-to-three ruling, the nine-member court declared that the 39-year-old leader had violated the ethical standards required of a prime minister, prioritising personal interests over national interest.
“Her actions have led to a loss of trust, fuelled suspicion that she sided with Cambodia, and diminished public confidence,” one of the judges said while reading the verdict.
The ruling, which dissolved her cabinet, comes just a year after the same court ousted her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, in another ethics case.
The controversy centred on Paetongtarn addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” during their discussion and referring to a Thai military commander as her “opponent” remarks that infuriated the powerful Thai armed forces and conservative lawmakers.
Her fragile coalition government nearly collapsed after a key partner pulled out, and senators petitioned the court for her removal.
Speaking after the ruling, Paetongtarn insisted she had acted in the nation’s interest: “My intentions were for the benefit of the country, not personal gain, but for the lives of the people, including civilians and soldiers.”
The verdict leaves Thailand without a clear successor. Of the nine candidates nominated for premiership in the 2023 election, most are either ineligible, lack party support, or face legal challenges. Analysts warn this could usher in a prolonged period of instability.
The ruling also risks further straining Thai-Cambodian relations, already rocked by deadly border clashes in July that killed more than 40 people and displaced over 300,000.
Paetongtarn becomes the sixth Shinawatra-linked prime minister to be removed by the Constitutional Court in two decades, underscoring the deep political rift between the pro-military establishment and the populist movement led by her family.
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