Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Removed Amid Political Crisis, Cabinet Ousted

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has officially removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a controversial phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, in which she criticized the Thai military's handling of border clashes and referred to Hun Sen as 'uncle.' The court ruled that Paetongtarn failed to uphold the ethical standards and integrity required of a prime minister, accusing her of placing personal interests above national interests. This ruling also led to the dissolution of her entire cabinet and marks Paetongtarn as the fifth Thai prime minister since 2008 to be ousted by judicial decision. The scandal erupted after a leaked recording of the June 15 call intensified nationalist outrage and political instability amid ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, which had recently escalated into deadly conflict. Despite her removal as prime minister, Paetongtarn remains Minister of Culture following government reshuffles. The case is part of ongoing legal pressures on the Shinawatra family, including proceedings against her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.