The Prime Minister of Thailand has been removed by the Constitutional Court, immersed the country’s politics in the upheaval and shocked his most powerful political dynasty.
Petongtern Shinavatra was dismissed to violate morality in a leaked June phone call, where he could be heard in the midst of a deteriorating border tension with Cambodia, criticizing former Cambodia leader Hun Sen “uncle” and Thai army.
The call leaked by Hun Sen damaged his reputation and critics accused him of reducing the country’s army.
The ruling, since 2008, made Patongtern, the daughter of former Prime Minister of the fifth Prime Minister to be removed from the post by the court, Patongtern.
On Friday, nine judges of the court held six to three votes against Patongtern, deciding that their works had violated the required moral standards from their office.
The court stated that Patongtern had a “personal relationship” that “appeared to align with Cambodia” and dismissed its claims that the call was a “personal conversation … bring back peace without using violence”.
In a judgment, it stated that “the public is suspicious of” to raise doubts “whether his actions” will benefit Cambodia more than the country’s interest “.
Petongtern accepted the court’s decision but insisted that she was trying to save her life.
His phone with Hun SenAt one time, a close friend of his father, the Tension on the Thai-Kambodia border increased, which weeks later exploded in a five-day struggle, killing dozens of people and hundreds of thousands of people fled from their homes.
The 39 -year -old Petongtern was only joined in Fu Thai in 2021 and was dismissed by his predecessor Sethra Thawicin to appoint an associate in his cabinet by the constitutional court, putting in jail to try to bribe a judge.
His replacement will be chosen by Parliament, where his party’s main coalition is a thin majority after partner, the Orthodox Bhumjithi Party withdrew its support on its call.
Parliament is not required to dissolve a new leader, but most MPs need to support one of the five registered candidates.
A former Justice Minster, 77 -year -old Chaiksem Niticiri, is Fauu Thai candidate to replace Patongtern. Anutin Charanvikul of Bhumjithi is also one of the front runners.
The powerful Shinavatra family has presided over several Thai governments – and the removal of Patongtern is a setback for their political dynasty.
She becomes the third Shinavatra, which reduced her premiere: her father Thassin was removed by a military coup in 2006 and his aunt Yingalak was also removed by the Constitutional Court in 2014.
Years ago, despite his retirement from formal politics, Thakasin remained very impressive – although it is no longer clear how much the Shinavatra name will be affected now.
