Political situation in Thailand

Thailand's Prime Minister is convicted - immediately dismissed

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been convicted by the country's Constitutional Court, reports the BBC. This means that she is immediately dismissed.

Paetongtarn was charged with having acted contrary to the national interest when she acted submissively in a telephone conversation with Cambodian leader Hun Sen in connection with the border conflict between the countries earlier this year.

According to the court, she has not lived up to the ethical requirements that can be placed on a prime minister.

Paetongtarn is now temporarily replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai while waiting for a new regular prime minister to be elected.

It is the fifth time in 20 years that a Thai prime minister has been dismissed following a court decision.

Thailand's Prime Minister is convicted - immediately dismissed

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been convicted by the country's Constitutional Court, reports the BBC. This means that she is immediately dismissed.

Paetongtarn was charged with having acted contrary to the national interest when she acted submissively in a telephone conversation with Cambodian leader Hun Sen in connection with the border conflict between the countries earlier this year.

According to the court, she has not lived up to the ethical requirements that can be placed on a prime minister.

Paetongtarn is now temporarily replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai while waiting for a new regular prime minister to be elected.

It is the fifth time in 20 years that a Thai prime minister has been dismissed following a court decision.

Paetongtarn accepts verdict: “I tried to save lives”

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra accepts the Constitutional Court's conviction against her. She says this in an initial statement, reports the BBC. However, she says that she has always tried to act in the best interests of Thailand.

Paetongtarn was convicted for acting submissively and fawning during a telephone conversation with Cambodian leader Hun Sen, and calling him “uncle”. The conversation was leaked in connection with the outbreak of a border conflict between the countries.

– What I care about most is people's lives, both soldiers and civilians. I wanted to save their lives, that's what I was trying to communicate, says Paetongtarn about the conversation.

The conviction means that she is immediately suspended and temporarily replaced by the deputy prime minister.

The verdict against Paetongtarn Shinawatra – it concerns the case

• Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra found herself in crisis after a leaked conversation in which she called a military leader her enemy.
• Criticism of Paetongtarn led to large protests and demands for her resignation, as well as coalition parties leaving the government.
• A constitutional court suspended Paetongtarn from the prime minister's post while a legal case for unethical conduct was ongoing.
• An opinion poll showed that a majority of Thais wanted Paetongtarn to resign or for parliament to be dissolved.
• On August 29, 2025, Paetongtarn was convicted by the court and immediately removed from office, and temporarily replaced by Phumtham Wechayachai.