Thai court finds Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn guilty of ethics violation

Thai court finds Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn guilty of ethics violation

Bangkok, Thailand — The Thai Constitutional Court has ruled that suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is guilty of ethical misconduct, effectively removing her from office. The decision, announced on August 29, 2025, is the latest in a series of judicial removals targeting Pheu Thai Party leaders, following a pattern that includes the removal of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Srettha Thavisin [1].

The court's ruling stems from leaked audio recordings of Paetongtarn's conversations with Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which surfaced in June 2025. In these recordings, Paetongtarn was heard using disrespectful language towards a senior Thai army commander, leading to her suspension from the prime ministerial role on July 1, 2025 [1]. The court found that her actions violated the country's ethical standards and were therefore grounds for her removal.

The ruling has significant implications for Thailand's political landscape. Pheu Thai Party has already identified its backup plan, nominating 76-year-old Chaikasem Nitisiri as the potential replacement if necessary [1]. However, the party's vulnerability extends beyond the court case to the parliamentary arithmetic, with the ruling coalition controlling just 253 seats against the opposition's 239 seats [1].

The political uncertainty comes at a challenging time for Thailand, with ongoing tensions with Cambodia impacting the national economy. A prolonged leadership transition could hamper the government's ability to address these pressing issues effectively [1].

The Constitutional Court's decision marks the fifth judicial removal of a prime minister since 2008, further highlighting the role of judicial intervention in Thailand's politics [2]. The ruling is also the second in a series of high-stakes court cases against Paetongtarn and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been facing legal troubles for his return to Thailand in 2023 [2].

References:
[1] https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2025/08/27/pheu-thai-braces-for-backup-pm-as-paetongtarns-fate-hangs-in-balance/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/thai-court-set-to-rule-on-paetongtarn-shinawatras-dismissal