Bangkok, August 29th, 2025 – In a high-stakes development that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape, the Constitutional Court delivered its verdict this afternoon on whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will be removed from office over allegations of ethical breaches stemming from a leaked phone conversation with Cambodian statesman Hun Sen. The 39-year-old leader, daughter of influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been suspended from her duties since July 1st, leaving the nation in a state of uncertainty amid ongoing economic challenges and border tensions.
The case, filed by a group of 36 conservative senators, accused Paetongtarn of violating constitutional provisions requiring ministers to demonstrate “evident integrity” and adhere to ethical standards. At the center of the controversy was a June 15 audio recording, released publicly by Hun Sen, in which Paetongtarn addressed the Cambodian Senate President as “uncle” and referred to a senior Thai military commander as her “opponent” during discussions aimed at de-escalating a volatile border dispute. Critics, including nationalists and military supporters, argue that her remarks undermined Thailand’s sovereignty, kowtowed to a foreign leader, and damaged the armed forces’ reputation, especially in the lead-up to deadly clashes in late July that claimed over 40 lives and displaced over 300,000 people along the border.
Paetongtarn, who assumed office less than a year ago after the court ousted her predecessor Srettha Thavisin in a separate ethics case, has defended her actions as a diplomatic tactic to prevent further violence and protect national interests. “I only thought about what to do to avoid troubles, what to do to avoid armed confrontation, for the soldiers not to suffer any loss,” she stated following her suspension. In testimony before the court on August 21st – coinciding with her 39th birthday – she stated that the conversation was private and intended to foster peace, apologizing for any perceived missteps but insisting on her sincerity. The National Security Council also provided evidence supporting her account, highlighting group efforts to manage the crisis through bilateral agreements and ASEAN mechanisms.
The Constitutional Court met today at 9:30 a.m. local time to deliberate, with the ruling given at 3:00 p.m. She was found guilty which will mean she will be removed from office and a new Prime Minister will be chosen.
This is a developing story and we will be covering ramifications and what this means in future articles.
