Ex-MP Keeps Unusual Vow After Former Thai PM’s Removal
A former Thai opposition lawmaker has made headlines after carrying out an extraordinary vow — performing a naked traditional dance — following the removal of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office.
Amarat Chokepamitkul, a former Member of Parliament with the Move Forward Party (MFP), had publicly declared on social media in June that if Paetongtarn were ousted before the end of 2025, she would strip and dance before a sacred statue to honour her pledge.
When the Constitutional Court ruled on August 29 that Paetongtarn had committed a serious ethical breach, Amarat said she felt compelled to keep her word. The court found that Paetongtarn’s phone call to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a tense border dispute was inappropriate and undermined national interests.
Naked Dance at Shrine in Nakhon Pathom
On September 1, Amarat travelled to a shrine in Nakhon Pathom province where she carried out the ritual. The dance, which she performed inside a tent screened with white cloth, was filmed and later uploaded to her Facebook page.
She explained to reporters that she did not fully believe in superstition but had made the vow in frustration over the former prime minister’s leadership. Nonetheless, she said she felt bound to follow through once her wish had come true.
While some criticised the act as sensationalist, many of her followers praised her for honouring her promise. The unusual spectacle has since gone viral across Thai social media platforms, sparking both amusement and debate over the intersection of politics, faith, and personal conviction.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
Paetongtarn, who is the daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that her controversial remarks to Hun Sen were part of a negotiation strategy aimed at calming tensions. However, the court rejected her defence and ordered her removal from office.
The fallout has intensified political uncertainty in Thailand, where leadership struggles continue to dominate headlines. Meanwhile, Amarat’s unusual vow-keeping has drawn both ridicule and respect, reflecting the often unpredictable ways in which politics and personal beliefs collide in Thai society.
The episode underscores not only the volatility of Thai politics but also how acts of symbolism — whether through ritual, protest, or performance — can capture public attention and spark wider conversations about accountability, superstition, and political integrity.