Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Dismissed—The "Leaked Call" That Crossed the Line and Shaken Public Opinion

On August 29, Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for "acts contrary to high ethical standards." The decision was passed with a 6-3 vote. The trigger was the leak of an audio recording of a phone conversation held in June with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (now Senate President). In the recording, she referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and made negative remarks about Thai military leaders amid a border dispute, which was judged to have damaged the dignity and interests of the nation. She accepted the ruling and immediately lost her position. Paetongtarn's downfall came in less than a year of her tenure.AP NewsReutersAktiencheck

Immediately after the ruling, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai took over the reins of government, and the parliament began the process of selecting a new prime minister from pre-registered candidates. It has been noted that the ruling Pheu Thai Party has only one candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri, which has accelerated speculations about coalition reformation and political realignments.AP News

What Was the Issue: A "Too Soft" Call Amid a Border Crisis

The controversial call took place amid rising tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border. Reports indicate that in the audio, Paetongtarn used a friendly honorific for Hun Sen and spoke critically of Thai military leaders. She later defended it as a negotiation tactic to seek peace and apologized, but it was perceived as "appeasement" by the military and conservatives. The ruling stated that her actions "damaged national pride and public trust," ultimately leading to the determination of an ethical violation.ReutersBangkok PostABC News

In July, the Constitutional Court had already issued a suspension of her duties (injunction), and the August 29 ruling was an extension of that.PBS

The "Fifth" Dismissal and the Repetition of Thai Politics

Paetongtarn is the third prime minister from the Shinawatra family, following her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck. In Thailand, where military coups and judicial decisions have repeatedly led to changes in government, several prime ministers have lost their positions due to Constitutional Court decisions since 2008. Once again, an elected prime minister has been ousted by judicial decision, replaying the "pattern" of Thai politics.The TimesThe Washington Post

Sparks at the Border: The Border Dispute and the "Five-Day Clash"

The tensions between the two countries stem from long-standing border line issues. According to reports, a brief armed conflict occurred after the June call, leading to a ceasefire within days. In this delicate balance, the prime minister's words and actions can significantly impact domestic and international trust and sentiment. The court appeared to focus on the possibility that "even if the intentions were good, the result harmed national interests."Reuters

How Social Media Reacted: Anger, Ridicule, Sighs, and Realism

Following the ruling, reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit were divided. Those sensitive to the border issue expressed anger over "criticizing the military and appeasing another country." Meanwhile, there were also voices of distrust and resignation towards judicial politics, with comments like "Another Shinawatra targeted."

• "Every time a Shinawatra prime minister comes to power, they are inevitably suspended or dismissed. Is it the military's turn next, in this farce?" (Sarcastic comment on Reddit)Reddit

• "She was incompetent. She should have resigned and dissolved the parliament herself." (Reddit post)Reddit

• International media's breaking news posts also spread, with hashtags like #Paetongtarn and #Thailand trending rapidly. For example, BusinessDay's post on X described it as a "new political storm," leading to numerous shares and quotes.X (formerly Twitter)

These reactions go beyond mere evaluations of the individual prime minister. They reflect the long-standing friction between the military and conservative elites and the populist forces centered around Thaksin, as well as suspicions of the politicization of judicial institutions, all of which are erupting on social media.

Cracks in the Coalition and the "Next Prime Minister"

The coalition was already strained before the ruling. Reports of the Bhumjaithai Party's defection and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin's resignation further weakened the government. The ruling brought these cracks to a critical point. Moving forward, a new prime minister will be chosen through votes in both houses, but Pheu Thai's only remaining registered candidate is the elderly Chaikasem. Depending on the maneuvers of opposition and smaller parties, scenarios like a short-term government or re-election could become more realistic.IndiatimesReuters

International Perspective: Deterioration of Democracy or Restoration of Ethics?

The Washington Post's editorial takes a serious view of the fact that the Constitutional Court has ousted "elected prime ministers" twice in the past year, questioning the substance of Thai democracy. The repeated absorption of electoral public opinion by judicial and military influence is cited as a typical example of "electoral authoritarianism" in Southeast Asia.The Washington Post

On the other hand, AP reports on the voting ratio (6-3) and the nuances of the ruling, introducing an evaluation that "while not deemed dishonest, she failed to prioritize national pride and interests." There is a certain domestic sentiment that views the tightening of ethical standards positively.AP News

The Transformation of Paetongtarn's Image: From Youngest Prime Minister to "Short-lived Administration"

In 2024, Paetongtarn, who became prime minister in her late 30s, one of the youngest in Asia at the time, carried both high expectations and caution as Thaksin's "successor." Her image of youth and renewal could not be fully restored after the explanation and apology following the phone leak. Although she positioned it as "peace-oriented negotiation," she was engulfed by the framing of "weakness in foreign affairs" and "disregard for the military," and became a meme in the social media space.The TimesBangkok Post

What Happens Next: Three Scenarios

1. Survival through Internal Reorganization of the Ruling Party
   Pheu Thai succeeds in forming a majority in parliament and nominates Chaikasem. However, due to his age and lack of charisma, a short-lived administration is possible.AP News

2. Opposition-led Government Change
   Centrist and conservative forces unite, advocating military-aligned stability to seize power. Short-term stability is expected, but urban and younger populations may remain opposed.Reuters

3. General Election
   If coalition negotiations stall, dissolution and a general election may follow. The voting could once again sharpen the "public opinion vs. establishment" dynamic. While reformist forces might gain momentum as a reaction to the ruling, institutional hurdles (such as the influence of the Senate) remain high.The Washington Post

Differences in Media Coverage

High-speed news agencies (AP/Reuters) list the voting ratio, procedures, and next steps (acting officials, candidate lists) matter-of-factly. In contrast, editorials and features emphasize the structural issues of Thai politics—the distortion between the military, judiciary, royalists, and election results. The Times attracts readers with the "third family member's downfall" narrative, while the Bangkok Post conveys the public sentiment with the choice of words like "kowtow" in its domestic coverage of the ruling's summary.AP NewsThe TimesBangkok Post

Conclusion: Trust Shattered by a Single Call, Yet Distrust Accumulates

A "single call" blew away the prime minister's seat. However, the real issue lies not in the content of the call but in the fact that "public opinion cannot prevail over the system" has become the norm in this country. Is it politics where heads roll under the guise of ethics, or is it a power struggle using ethics as a pretext? Behind the anger and ridicule overflowing on social media