Bangkok, Thailand — In a significant political shakeup, a Thai court has removed suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her position, a decision linked to her controversial phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The ruling follows accusations that her comments in the call violated ethical guidelines, igniting fresh political unrest in the kingdom.

Paetongtarn, who became the youngest prime minister in the country’s history when she assumed office in August 2024, has only served for a year. Her suspension stems from a leaked conversation on June 15, during a period of heightened tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border. In the call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized the actions of her own military in the border clashes, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Her contentious remarks, which included an offer to accommodate Hun Sen’s requests, raised eyebrows in Thailand, a nation already rife with nationalist sentiments due to the ongoing border dispute. Critics accused her of jeopardizing national interests, further exacerbating public outrage.

The ongoing tensions culminated in a five-day conflict in July that left at least 38 people dead, including many civilians, and caused significant displacement among local populations. In light of the controversy, Paetongtarn publicly apologized, asserting that her comments aimed to defuse escalating tensions rather than compromise the nation’s integrity.

Initially, the Constitutional Court suspended her from prime ministerial duties on July 1, but allowed her to retain her role as culture minister. The court’s ruling represents yet another upheaval in Thailand’s turbulent political landscape, where those advocating reform often clash with entrenched military and royalist elites.

Last week, her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a polarizing figure in Thai politics, successfully navigated a separate legal challenge concerning lese majeste charges that could have led to significant prison time. The Shinawatra family’s long history of political dominance has been marred by turmoil, with many family members facing removal from office or legal challenges.

In just the last three years, Thailand has witnessed the ousting of two prime ministers and the dissolution of an election-winning political party. These events underline the judiciary’s role in the ongoing fight for political power, a dynamic that reinforces instability in governance.

Paetongtarn’s removal may have far-reaching consequences for both her family’s political legacy and the ruling Pheu Thai party, which now faces immense pressure to nominate a new candidate for the premiership. The potential candidates remain uncertain, with former justice minister Chaikasem Nitisiri and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul among the names being discussed.

Should Pheu Thai fail to secure a new prime minister, Thailand could be thrust into another electoral cycle, with the party’s standing weakened by the current controversies. Analysts suggest that while the establishment may prefer a Thaksin-aligned party to mitigate threats posed by more radical reformists, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges.

In a landscape where political fortunes can shift dramatically, the Shinawatra family’s future in Thai politics could hinge on the party’s ability to maneuver through this latest crisis while addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.