Thailand’s Prime Minister Ousted: The Shocking Fallout from a Leaked Phone Call with Cambodian Strongman

A Thai court has removed suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. The court ruled that a controversial phone call she made with Cambodia’s former leader was unethical. This decision has stirred fresh political chaos in Thailand.

Paetongtarn, part of the influential Shinawatra family, became the youngest prime minister in August 2024. However, her tenure was brief, lasting only a year.

In a leaked call on June 15, as tensions along the Thai-Cambodia border escalated, Paetongtarn referred to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as “uncle.” She criticized her own army during the conversation about recent border clashes, which had resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Her comments were troubling. She said, “If Hun Sen wants anything, just tell me, and I will take care of it.” This sparked accusations that she was putting national interests at risk, especially since nationalist sentiments were already high due to the border dispute.

Just weeks later, the two countries experienced a five-day conflict that resulted in at least 38 deaths, most of whom were civilians.

Paetongtarn later apologized to the Thai people for any discomfort her remarks may have caused, explaining that they were intended to reduce tensions.

The court had initially suspended her from prime ministerial duties on July 1, but she remained in the Cabinet as the culture minister.

This ruling adds to the turbulent history of Thai politics, where those advocating change often clash with a small but powerful elite comprised of military, royalist, and business figures.

Last week, Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, narrowly escaped a serious legal challenge but has remained a divisive figure in Thai politics.

In the last two decades, numerous lawmakers have faced bans, parties have been dissolved, and prime ministers have been removed from office, often with the judiciary playing a crucial role. Notably, in just the past three years, two prime ministers were ousted, and an election-winning party was disbanded.

Paetongtarn’s situation mirrors a long history of instability within her family. Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, lost power before the military coup in 2014, and her father fled abroad after being deposed in 2006.

The recent court ruling marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Shinawatra family’s ups and downs in Thai politics. As Pheu Thai finds itself scrambling to nominate a new prime minister, internal conflicts have arisen within the ruling coalition, and they may struggle to ensure effective governance amid economic challenges.

If Pheu Thai cannot secure a robust candidate to lead, the possibility of new elections arises, where they would likely be at a disadvantage.

Interestingly, some experts suggest that the establishment might still prefer a Thaksin-backed party as it serves as a check against the main opposition, the People’s Party, which is seen as a significant threat to the status quo due to its reformative agenda.

As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the intense power struggles in Thai politics and the continued influence of the Shinawatra family within it.

For further details on the ongoing political landscape in Thailand, you can visit [The Bangkok Post](https://www.bangkokpost.com/).

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