Bangkok:Thailand’s Constitutional Court, with a 7-2 vote, has put the Prime Minister on hold from her duties starting July 1, pending the court’s final decision.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended. On Tuesday, the country’s Constitutional Court delivered a major ruling to suspend her. The decision comes amid a diplomatic dispute with Cambodia, heating up Thailand’s political landscape. According to Thai media reports, the court’s ruling stems from a leaked telephone call in which the Prime Minister allegedly violated ministerial ethics regarding a border dispute with Cambodia. The Constitutional Court, in a 7-2 majority decision, stated: “The Constitutional Court, by majority vote, suspends the Prime Minister from her duties effective July 1, until the court delivers its final verdict.
Court Grants PM Shinawatra 15 Days to Submit Evidence
The court has given Prime Minister Shinawatra, aged 38, a 15-day deadline to present evidence amid growing controversy. She’s facing intense backlash at home over her approach to a volatile border dispute with Cambodia. Tensions boiled over on May 28, when a clash between the two countries left a Cambodian soldier dead.
PM Shinawatra Stays Quiet as Spokesperson Defends Her Intentions Prime Minister Shinawatra, 38, hasn’t spoken out publicly yet, but her spokesperson stepped up during a press briefing to clear the air. “The Prime Minister only wanted to keep peace in the region and avoid any pointless fighting,” the spokesperson said. “She didn’t say anything out of line. The leaked call is being twisted and spread in a way that’s really upset her.” They added that she respects the court process and will fully cooperate with the investigation.For context, Shinawatra is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was forced out of power in a 2006 military coup. Since then, their family has been caught up in one political storm after another in Thailand. Shinawatra’s government has been dealing with pushback from the military and conservative groups right from the get-go.
Thailand gets second prime minister in two days
Thailand has seen its second prime minister in just two days. On Thursday, Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stepped into the role of acting prime minister, taking over from Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who held the position for a mere 24 hours.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, aged 70, was named Thailand’s acting prime minister on Wednesday, stepping in for Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed from office on June 1. Paetongtarn faced accusations of breaking ethical rules after a phone call with a prominent Cambodian leader was made public.
On Thursday, the Thai government shared on social media that the new cabinet, in its first meeting, agreed to appoint Phumtham Wechayachai as acting prime minister. This decision came as Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn swore in the new ministers.
Turmoil in Thai Politics
For the past two decades, the Shinawatra family has had a major influence on Thai politics. Every time they’ve risen to power, they’ve faced just as many controversies and oustings. Now, history seems to be repeating itself once again.
The Shinawatra family’s political journey began in 2001 when Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister with huge public support. He introduced affordable healthcare, loans, and development programs for the poor and rural communities, winning their hearts.
However, Thaksin’s popularity became a threat to Thailand’s urban middle class, wealthy elite, and powerful military. In 2006, the military staged a coup, removing him from power. He was accused of corruption and abusing his authority.
Thaksin left the country, living in places like Cambodia and Dubai, but he continued to influence Thai politics from afar. His popularity never faded. His supporters, known as the “Red Shirts,” launched strong protests against various Thai governments.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s 10-Month Stint as PM
In August 2024, Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the oath as Thailand’s prime minister, sparking hope that the Shinawatra family had made yet another comeback to power. But this return was short-lived. A case was filed against her in the Constitutional Court, and just 10 months later, she was removed from office.
The Shinawatra family’s cycle of rising to power and then being ousted amid controversies has become a recurring pattern in Thai politics.
The Shinawatras enjoy immense popularity among rural communities and the poor in Thailand. However, the military and royalist forces hold such strong influence in Thai politics that Shinawatra-led governments rarely last long. This ongoing power struggle keeps pushing Thailand toward instability.
Supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra and his family believe the military uses courts and political systems to topple democratically elected governments. On the other hand, critics accuse the Shinawatra family of misusing power, corruption, and pushing populist policies that plunge the country into economic trouble.
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