Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Dismissed by Constitutional Court Over Ethics Violation in Call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen

Thailand's suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, arrives at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after ruling that she violated constitutional rules on ethics during a phone conversation with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.

The court’s decision means Paetongtarn, who had served as prime minister for about a year, immediately loses her position. She was suspended from her duties on July 1 when the case was first admitted by the court, with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stepping in to handle her responsibilities.

Following her dismissal, Phumtham’s Cabinet is expected to continue on a caretaker basis until Parliament approves a new prime minister. The caretaker administration also retains the authority to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections if necessary.

The controversy stemmed from a leaked June 15 phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, during which the Thai leader sought to ease tensions over disputed border territory. The conversation, however, sparked a political uproar after critics accused Paetongtarn of being overly cordial with a foreign counterpart on a sensitive security matter and of making disparaging remarks about a Thai army general.