Just slightly before 4 p.m on August 29, 2025, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, ending her tenure just over a year after she became Asia’s youngest non-monarchical female leader.
The decision, stemming from a controversial phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, marks a significant blow to the Shinawatra family, a dominant force in Thai politics for decades. The court’s ruling, citing ethical violations, underscores the challenges facing the Shinawatra dynasty and its Pheu Thai party amid declining public support and a shifting political landscape.
Details of the Court Ruling
The Constitutional Court found Paetongtarn guilty of ethical misconduct over a leaked June 2025 phone call with Hun Sen, during which she criticized a Thai Army commander and was perceived to have made concessions that compromised Thailand’s national security. According to Thai news outlet Khaosod, the court stated that Paetongtarn’s remarks “demonstrated the weakness of domestic politics” and prioritized her popularity over national interests. This verdict follows her suspension on July 1, 2025, when the court agreed to review a petition from 36 senators accusing her of breaching constitutional ethical standards. 
The ruling aligns with Thailand’s history of judicial intervention in politics, with the Constitutional Court previously removing Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, in 2024 for an ethics violation. Paetongtarn’s removal makes her the fifth Thai prime minister since 2008 to be ousted by the court, highlighting its role as a powerful tool of the country’s conservative establishment.
The Shinawatra Legacy and Political Fallout
Paetongtarn, aged 39, is the third Shinawatra family member to lose the premiership. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was deposed in a 2006 military coup, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, was removed by a court ruling in 2014. The family’s Pheu Thai party, known for its populist policies, has faced criticism for failing to deliver on economic promises and for forming a controversial coalition with conservative, military-aligned forces in 2023 to block the progressive Move Forward party, which won the most votes in that year’s election.
Analysts suggest the Shinawatra brand has been significantly weakened and ventilated that that the Shinawatra name no longer carries the same ideological weight or policy legacy. A June 2025 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration showed Pheu Thai’s support dropping from 28% to 11%, with Paetongtarn’s approval rating falling to 9.2% from 30.9% in March. Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political scientist at Ubon Ratchathani University, described a Shinawatra comeback as impossible, citing the family’s disconnect from public demands for liberty and freedom alongside economic well-being.
Context of the Border Dispute
The leaked call with Hun Sen occurred amid escalating tensions over a long-standing border dispute near the Emerald Triangle, which intensified in May 2025 with a clash that killed a Cambodian soldier. By July 24, 2025, the conflict had escalated into deadly clashes, resulting in over 40 deaths and displacing approximately 300,000 people, as reported by Reuters and Nation Thailand. A ceasefire was negotiated on July 28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but the controversy over Paetongtarn’s handling of the situation fueled public and political backlash.
Thaksin’s Ongoing Legal Challenges
While Paetongtarn’s ousting dominates headlines, her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, remains a central figure in Thai politics. On August 22, 2025, a Bangkok court acquitted him of a royal defamation charge related to a 2015 interview, a rare outcome given Thailand’s strict lese-majeste laws. However, Thaksin faces another legal battle in September 2025, when the Supreme Court will determine whether his six-month hospital detention in 2023—following his return from 15 years in exile—counts as time served for prior corruption and abuse-of-power convictions. A ruling against him could result in imprisonment, though his influence over Pheu Thai remains strong.
Future Political Landscape
With Paetongtarn’s removal, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will serve as acting prime minister until a new vote in the House of Representatives selects a replacement from a pre-approved list of candidates, including Chaikasem Nitisiri of Pheu Thai and others from coalition parties. Pheu Thai, with 141 seats in the 500-member lower chamber, remains a critical player in coalition negotiations, potentially securing cabinet portfolios or leniency for Thaksin’s legal case. However, analysts like Napon suggest that while the Shinawatra family will retain influence, their era of dominance is likely over, with a possible early general election looming.
The removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra marks a pivotal moment for Thailand’s political landscape, signaling the decline of the Shinawatra dynasty’s grip on power. The Constitutional Court’s decision, rooted in a contentious diplomatic incident, reflects the ongoing tension between Thailand’s elected leaders and its conservative establishment. As the country navigates this latest political upheaval, the focus shifts to coalition negotiations and the potential for renewed public demand for reform, with the Shinawatra legacy hanging in the balance.
