Thailand’s political landscape has plunged into fresh turmoil after the Constitutional Court voted to suspend Prime Minister Petuntan from office on Tuesday. The dramatic move follows a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Petuntan of breaching ethical standards and violating the country’s constitution.
The court’s nine judges voted unanimously, 9-0, to accept the petition for investigation, and by 7-2 to suspend the prime minister from her duties until a ruling is made. This suspension immediately transferred executive power to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya, who will act as caretaker prime minister during the proceedings.
The crisis erupted after a recording of a private phone call between Petuntan and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was leaked last month. In the recording, Petuntan referred to herself deferentially as Hun Sen’s “niece” and called a senior Thai military commander a “madman,” fuelling public outrage and eroding confidence in her leadership.
Cabinet Resignations Deepen Thailand’s Constitutional Crisis
The leaked conversation, which appeared to criticise Thailand’s military leadership and downplay tensions following a deadly clash on the Thai-Cambodian border in May, triggered a swift political fallout. The Pheu Thai Party, the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, announced its exit from the coalition, and all its cabinet ministers resigned, including Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin.
Although Petuntan publicly apologised for her comments, the apology failed to calm widespread anger. Protests demanding her immediate resignation broke out across Bangkok and other major cities, intensifying the sense of a constitutional crisis. Facing mounting pressure, Petuntan moved to reshuffle her cabinet, securing royal approval from King Vajiralongkorn just hours before her suspension.
The cabinet reshuffle involved more than ten ministerial positions, including Petuntan herself taking on the role of Minister of Culture. However, the shake-up was overshadowed by the Constitutional Court’s decision, effectively freezing her political authority.
Thaksin Trial Adds Fuel to Thailand’s Political Unrest
Compounding the chaos, the trial of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Petuntan’s father, began on the same day at Bangkok’s Criminal Court. Thaksin, who faces charges of lese majeste, could receive a sentence of up to 15 years if convicted. His legal troubles have long been a source of division in Thai society, and the coincidence of his trial with Petuntan’s suspension has only heightened tensions.
Observers fear the overlapping crises could destabilise Thailand’s fragile political environment, with concerns over further protests and potential violence. Analysts note that the rapid escalation reflects deep fractures within Thailand’s political elite and underscores the challenges facing Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
As caretaker prime minister, Suriya is expected to oversee day-to-day government operations while the Constitutional Court deliberates on the petition. However, with anti-government sentiment running high and coalition dynamics in flux, many question how long Thailand can avoid a deeper constitutional confrontation.