Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid escalating political unrest and fallout from a leaked audio recording, intensifying the country’s already fragile political landscape.
The court accepted a petition submitted by 36 senators who demanded Paetongtarn’s removal, accusing her of compromising national sovereignty and displaying a lack of integrity. The petition centered on a leaked phone call with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which Paetongtarn referred to a Thai army commander as an “opponent.” The court has ordered her suspension pending a final ruling on the matter.
The audio leak sparked a wave of criticism and political maneuvering. A major coalition partner exited the ruling alliance two weeks ago, weakening Paetongtarn’s hold on power. Her situation worsened over the weekend as more than 30,000 anti-government demonstrators gathered at Bangkok’s Victory Monument on Saturday, demanding her resignation and urging coalition parties to abandon the government.
The 38-year-old Paetongtarn came to power just last August, following the court-ordered ouster of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Now, less than a year into her tenure, she finds herself sidelined by the same court that removed her predecessor.
Public support has also waned significantly. A recent opinion poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration between June 19 and 25 showed just 9% of respondents considered her the most suitable leader — a sharp decline from 31% in March.
Adding to the turmoil is a slowing economy. Thailand continues to struggle with unresolved trade negotiations with the United States, while its critical tourism industry is suffering a downturn amid a significant drop in Chinese visitors.
