Thai Constitutional Court Announces Immediate Suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn

The Constitutional Court of Thailand announced on the 1st that it has accepted a petition to investigate whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn has committed any unconstitutional acts, and has decided to immediately suspend her from exercising her authority as prime minister.

According to a statement from the Constitutional Court, all 9 judges voted unanimously (9-0) to accept the petition, and by a vote of 7 to 2, decided to suspend Paetongtarn from performing her duties as prime minister until a final verdict is reached.

Thirty-six senators in Thailand submitted the petition to the Constitutional Court, requesting the termination of Paetongtarn's position as prime minister. They accused her of violating ministerial code of ethics during the border dispute with Cambodia.

It is understood that if Paetongtarn is suspended, the prime minister’s duties will be handed over to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phuttan. Paetongtarn was elected as the new prime minister of Thailand in August 2024.

Earlier this week, Paetongtarn frankly said that she was concerned about the Constitutional Court’s decision, but the government would continue to focus on its work and hoped ongoing matters—including foreign tariff negotiations—would not be affected.

She said: “I will let things develop naturally. If you ask me whether I’m worried, then of course I’m worried.”

Additionally, a few days after withdrawing from the Pheu Thai-led ruling coalition, Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party has drafted a no-confidence motion against Paetongtarn.

Bhumjaithai Party spokesperson Wanyadida told the Bangkok Post on Monday that the Palang Pracharath Party had agreed to support the no-confidence motion, and Bhumjaithai would also submit the motion draft to opposition parties such as the Democrat Party and the People’s National Power Party.

She said that Bhumjaithai Party considers the matter to be very serious, as Paetongtarn had spoken to the leader of a country in conflict with Thailand in a sycophantic manner over the phone.

She stated that Paetongtarn does not seem to realize the damage her misconduct has brought to Thailand, and if she believes she is innocent, she should offer an explanation in parliament to try to quell public opposition to her continuing as prime minister.

Nevertheless, now that Paetongtarn has been suspended from performing her duties as prime minister by the Constitutional Court, the no-confidence motion may not be submitted to parliament for a vote.

Before the Constitutional Court’s announcement, the official Thai government gazette published a notice on the same day regarding a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Paetongtarn, involving more than 10 cabinet positions, with Paetongtarn herself taking on the role of Minister of Culture. The King of Thailand has approved the reshuffle in accordance with the constitution.

According to the notice, Paetongtarn will serve concurrently as Minister of Culture, and the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phuttan will now assume the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Besides Paetongtarn’s case, on the 1st the Criminal Court of Thailand also began proceedings against Thaksin on charges of lèse-majesté.

Thaksin allegedly made remarks that were critical of the monarchy when he was interviewed by the media in Seoul, South Korea in 2015.

A court official told AFP that Thaksin had arrived in court and the trial had begun, but media were not permitted inside.