Thailand’s prime minister has been suspended
And conservatives forces are circling her populist movement
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following a petition alleging she breached ethics in a call to Hun Sen, Cambodia’s strongman, which he leaked. Ms Paetongtarn appears to disparage a Thai general for being hot-headed over a border spat between the two countries. The petition, by senators, suggests conservative forces in the army, palace and parliament are calling time on the populist movement long led by Ms Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra. He, too, is in court on charges of lèse-majesté. In 2008 the generals ousted him in a coup; in 2014 they seized power from his sister. This time the Shinawatras look likelier to be dispatched with a gavel. ■
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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Thailand’s turmoil”
From the July 5th 2025 edition
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