BANGKOK — Thailand’s Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on August 29 regarding whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra should be permanently disqualified from office for alleged ethical breaches related to her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. The court announced the ruling will be read at 3 p.m. local time.
Paetongtarn, who was suspended from her duties on July 1 while the case is ongoing, faces accusations stemming from a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. In the recording, Paetongtarn appeared to blame the Thai military for escalating tensions by restricting border checkpoints, remarks that triggered protests within Thailand and widespread calls for her resignation. Although she later apologized, the complaint was lodged by a group of senators alleging a violation of ethical standards in her prime ministerial conduct.
The case is politically charged and unfolding at a sensitive moment for Thailand. If the court finds Paetongtarn guilty, she will be permanently removed, deepening the ongoing political crisis and creating a leadership vacuum during a critical time for national security. Thailand endeavors to maintain a fragile ceasefire and resolve the border conflict with Cambodia through diplomatic dialogue.
This decision comes just days before a ruling on August 22 in a long-standing royal defamation case against Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces up to 15 years in prison. The Shinawatra family, which leads the ruling Pheu Thai party, remains at the center of Thailand’s turbulent political landscape.
The court will hear witness testimonies, including Paetongtarn and the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, on August 21, with closing arguments scheduled by August 27. The nine judges of the Constitutional Court will convene on August 29 to deliberate and announce their decision.
This case marks a critical chapter in Thailand’s political drama, reflecting the enduring tensions between the Shinawatra clan and conservative forces in the country, with implications for regional stability and governance.