Thai Constitutional Court temporarily removes premier from official duties. - Thai Prime Minister temporarily stepped down due to ruling by the Constitutional Court.
The political landscape in Thailand is in turmoil as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces mounting pressure to step down following a controversial phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen. The conversation, which was leaked to the public, has sparked outrage and protests across the country.
The crisis began in August 2024 when Paetongtarn took office following the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court. Since then, the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government has been embroiled in a series of scandals, including allegations of vote buying and collusion in the 2024 Thai Senate elections.
The latest developments intensified on June 15, 2025, when a phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen was leaked. The conversation, which revolved around the ongoing border dispute between the two countries, led to criticism when Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and referred to the Thai regional army chief in the border area as her opponent.
The leak of these remarks on June 18 sparked outrage among conservative and pro-monarchy groups within Thailand, leading to widespread protests demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation. The political turmoil is further exacerbated by the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition government, leaving Paetongtarn’s administration with a precarious parliamentary majority and facing legal challenges and potential no-confidence votes.
The crisis has raised concerns about renewed instability reminiscent of Thailand's history of coups and court interventions against successive governments. The economic impact is significant, with falling investor confidence, depreciation of the Thai baht, and a sharp decline in the stock market, reflecting fears about prolonged instability and stalled reforms.
Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen's involvement is primarily linked to the leaked conversation with Paetongtarn about the border crisis. Hun Sen, as Cambodia’s Senate President and ex-PM, is a key figure in the diplomatic tension between the two countries. The leaked call, in which Paetongtarn appeared deferential to Hun Sen while criticizing Thai military leadership, was used by political opponents to question her loyalty and competence. This has intensified nationalist sentiments in Thailand and fueled political opposition to her government.
In a nutshell, the current crisis reflects deep divisions within Thai politics, heightened nationalist and military sensitivities, and the fragile alliance that brought Paetongtarn to power. A group of conservative senators has filed a complaint against Paetongtarn, accusing her of violating ethical rules for government members. The power struggle in Thailand involves the military and the royalist establishment against the influence of progressive parties.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the future of Thailand's political landscape remains uncertain. The country's history of coups and court interventions against governments adds to the risks of prolonged instability. The economic impact is already being felt, with falling investor confidence, depreciation of the Thai baht, and a sharp decline in the stock market. The people of Thailand are left hoping for a resolution to the crisis that will bring stability and progress to the nation.
[1] BBC News. (2025). Thailand: Protests over PM Paetongtarn's phone call with Hun Sen. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58367454 [2] Reuters. (2025). Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party quits government, leaving PM Paetongtarn with narrow majority. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-bumjai-thai-party-quits-government-leaving-pm-paetongtarn-with-narrow-majority-2025-06-20/ [3] The Guardian. (2025). Thailand's political crisis deepens as PM Paetongtarn faces calls for resignation. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/25/thailands-political-crisis-deepens-as-pm-paetongtarn-faces-calls-for-resignation [4] Financial Times. (2025). Thailand's political crisis threatens economic stability. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/91e14e3a-f9d0-485f-a15a-83912a5b9a7c
- The leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen, discussed in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, has become a critical point in the ongoing political crisis in Thailand.
- The controversy surrounding the phone call has been a significant topic in policy-and-legislation and politics sections of general news, with Article 7 being invoked in a complaint filed against Paetongtarn by a group of conservative senators.
- The leaked conversation, regarding the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, has also become intertwined with crime-and-justice and war-and-conflicts matters, as it has heightened nationalist sentiments and fueled political opposition within Thailand.
