Thailand’s Constitutional Court sacks PM Paetongtarn for ethics violation

The Thai Constitutional Court on August 29 dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office for an ethics violation.

The case stemmed from allegations of serious ethical violations after a recording of a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen was leaked.

The court quoted Paetongtarn as telling Hun Sen that the Second Army Region Commander, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, siding with her opposite side "shows the weakness of Thailand's internal politics".

The court also declared that Paetongtarn had made unconditional concession, without considering Thailand's national security, thus putting personal interests above national interests.

Accordingly, the court ruled that Paetongtarn's status as Prime Minister had been terminated under the Thai Constitution. With this ruling, she will be removed from the position of Prime Minister, and her cabinet will also be dissolved to pave the way for a prime minister election and the formation of a new cabinet in the near future.