The True Post (Web News) Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Phatthongtharun Shinawatra, the youngest Prime Minister in the country’s history, from office in a leaked phone call case.
She was the sixth member of the Shinawatra family to reach the position of Prime Minister.
According to international media reports, in a phone call that came to light in June, Phatthongtharun Shinawatra was accused of having spoken inappropriately and biasedly with Cambodia’s powerful Prime Minister Hun Sen. At the time, Thailand and Cambodia were embroiled in a border dispute and armed clashes. The court ruled that the prime minister had disregarded national interests and moral values in the conversation, which was contrary to the basic responsibilities of his office.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has suffered a major setback after the ruling. The Constitutional Court’s decision has put the party in a vulnerable position and now paves the way for new elections in the country.
Immediately after the court’s decision, the former coalition partner **Bhumaje Thai Party , which had split from the coalition government after the phone-leak scandal emerged, has become active in forming a new government. Party leader Anutan Charanvirakal** has begun contacts with other parties and has promised to dissolve parliament and hold general elections within four months of taking power.
The dismissed Prime Minister’s stance
In a statement after the verdict, ousted Prime Minister Phitthongtharun said she appealed to all parties to work together to establish political stability in the country. She said she wanted to protect the lives of both civilians and soldiers and was determined to take all possible steps before war broke out.
It is also worth noting that Phatthongtharun Shinawatra is the fifth prime minister in the past 17 years to be removed from office by the Constitutional Court. According to experts, the case reflects the ongoing political conflict in Thailand that has been going on for years between the governments of the **Shinawatra family** on the one hand and the coalition forces loyal to the royal family of conservatives and military circles on the other.
After this decision, a new chapter has opened in Thai politics, where on the one hand the people are waiting for new elections, while on the other hand the conflict between the ruling family and conservative forces may intensify.