Political situation in Thailand

New Prime Minister close in Thailand – to call new elections

The leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party, Anutin Charnvirakul, looks to be the best placed to become the new Prime Minister of Thailand, reports AFP.

He himself states that he has secured sufficient support in parliament to be elected and that he will then call new elections. However, the decisive factor will be how the opposition Prachachon party positions itself. The party has opened up to supporting any prime ministerial candidate, as long as certain requirements are met. Among other things, the party wants to reform the constitution.

Thailand was thrown into a power vacuum on Friday after the incumbent Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was convicted and removed from office by the Constitutional Court.

Thailand's Prime Minister is found guilty - dismissed immediately

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been found guilty 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.

 

The political situation in Thailand – it's about the matter

• Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed on August 29, 2025, following a conviction by the Constitutional Court.
• The verdict was based on her acting contrary to national interests in a leaked conversation with Cambodia's leader during a border conflict.
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra accepted the verdict and was temporarily replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
• The dismissal triggered demands from the opposition Prachachon party for parliament to be dissolved and new elections to be held.
• This is the fifth time in 20 years that a Thai prime minister has been dismissed by court order.