Political legal advisor petitions Election Commission to disband Pheu Thai Party and its allied parties due to leaked video
In a significant development, lawyer Tiwa Karnkasang has submitted a petition to the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand, calling for the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partners. The petition alleges misconduct by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a leaked audio recording serving as key evidence.
The controversy surrounds a conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, which reportedly reveals that the prime minister negotiated in a manner that prioritised personal interests over national benefit. The leaked conversation also shows that the prime minister shared confidential information about Thailand's diplomatic strategy with a foreign leader and spoke critically of the Thai military, portraying it as an adversary.
Paetongtarn has defended the controversial conversation, stating that it aimed to preserve peace and security along the border, and that she acted on national security advice. However, the political environment is tense, with several ongoing court cases involving Paetongtarn and her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, that have significant implications for Thailand's political future.
Tiwa Karnkasang has accused the Pheu Thai Party executive committee of remaining silent in the face of allegations against the prime minister and continuing to support her as prime minister, which he claimed reflected opposition to democratic governance under constitutional monarchy. He also urged the EC to act swiftly, arguing that failure to do so could result in serious damage to the country, potentially leading to territorial loss akin to the historical Preah Vihear Temple dispute.
As of June 25, 2025, there is no publicly available information confirming whether the Election Commission has taken further action on the petition beyond its acceptance. The broader legal and political processes, such as the Constitutional Court's upcoming ruling on Paetongtarn’s ethics case scheduled for August 29, 2025, may influence developments related to this and other challenges faced by the Pheu Thai Party leadership.
The recent Thai-Cambodian border tensions stemmed from provocations by Cambodian forces, which led to military clashes. Cambodia has asserted claims over disputed territories, including the Chong Bok area and the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, and Ta Krabei temples, and has reportedly reinforced troops along the border.
This is a developing story and more updates will be provided as information becomes available.
- The controversy surrounding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extends beyond politics, as a leaked conversation revealed her sharing confidential information about Thailand's diplomatic strategy with a foreign leader and speaking critically of the Thai military, creating tension in the realm of general news, crime-and-justice, and war-and-conflicts.
- Tiwa Karnkasang, the lawyer who submitted a petition to the Election Commission, expressed concern over the Pheu Thai Party's lack of response to allegations against their prime minister, suggesting that policy-and-legislation and democratic governance under constitutional monarchy are at stake.
- The ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, exacerbated by Cambodian force provocations, not only pose a threat to territorial integrity but also resemble historical disputes such as the Preah Vihear Temple dispute, making it a significant issue in international relations and general news.
