Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been ordered to vacate her position with immediate effect, a decision handed down by the Thai Constitutional Court on Friday. The ruling stems from concerns regarding ethical conduct, following the leak of a telephone conversation.
The court stated that Shinawatra’s actions were deemed to have fallen short of upholding the “dignity of the nation” and prioritized personal interests over those of the country, constituting a breach of ethical standards.
Judges indicated the behavior raised public doubts as to whether her actions were more aligned with the interests of Cambodia than those of Thailand. This, they asserted, had eroded public trust in the Thai government.
The decision follows a suspension imposed in July, triggered by the leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The conversation focused on the long-standing territorial dispute along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
A segment of the recorded conversation, where Shinawatra addressed Sen as “Uncle” and pledged to address his “needs” sparked public outcry and a petition calling for accountability. Shinawatra initially defended her actions as a negotiating tactic. However, she has accepted the court’s ruling.
With this decision, Shinawatra becomes the fifth prime minister since 2008 to be removed from office by the Thai Constitutional Court.
