How leaked phone conversations shook Thai politics

Thailand is in political turmoil again. Prime Minister Phet Thongsingh Shinawatra has been ousted after a leaked phone call. The country's Constitutional Court has ruled that he violated ethics and is therefore disqualified from holding the position of prime minister.

Origin of the phone call

The incident began last June. Phet Thongsingh participated in a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. There, he was heard criticizing the military and expressing a compromising attitude. Hun Sen himself later leaked the conversation.

Phet Thongsingh claimed that it was for diplomatic purposes. However, this was not proven by the court. Instead, according to the judges, the phone call "violated the standards of state morality and political responsibility."

Why was Hun Sen angry?

Despite his long-standing relationship with the Shinawatra family, it is still unclear why Hun Sen suddenly broke off relations. However, it is believed that Petangtarn once commented that Hun Sen applied political pressure on social media, which was “unprofessional behavior.” Hun Sen was angered by this comment and released the phone call.

He publicly said that it was an “unprecedented insult” and that he had “leaked the truth.” This led to tensions not only in Thailand but also on the border between the two neighboring countries. At least 40 people from both countries lost their lives in a border clash in July.

Stages of political downfall

Petangtarn has been increasingly in political crisis since the phone call was leaked.

In July, 7 out of 9 judges of the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of suspending his prime ministership.

The Bhumjaithai Party, one of the largest partners in the ruling coalition, announced its withdrawal.

The Pheu Thai Party was in a majority crisis in parliament.

Finally, on Friday, the Constitutional Court finally dismissed him.

As a result, Pettongtarn Shinawatra is the fifth prime minister of Thailand to be ousted by a court ruling.

The political curse of the Shinawatra family?

There is a strange similarity in Thailand's recent history - the Shinawatra family and their allies have repeatedly been the victims of court rulings. Pettongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his aunt, Yingluck, have all faced the same fate before.

This has created a perception in Thai politics - the courts always rule against leaders who are a threat to conservative forces and monarchists.

Who will be the new prime minister?

According to the constitution, members of parliament must now choose a new prime minister from a very limited list. The last remaining candidate from the Pheu Thai Party is Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former minister but physically frail and politically unpopular.

On the other hand, another possible candidate is Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul. His party left the coalition after the phone call scandal. As a result, Pheu Thai may have to rely on him to form a new government. However, the question remains whether this government will be stable or not.

Opposition party position

The opposition party ‘The People’s Party’ currently has the largest number of seats (143) in parliament. But they have announced that they will not join any coalition until new elections are held. As a result, the possibility of new elections to break the political deadlock has become strong.

Pheu Thai is losing public confidence

The Pheu Thai Party was once the most popular political force in Thailand. Their election promise was the “digital wallet” project—under which every adult Thai citizen would be given $308. But that project has not yet been implemented.

Questions have also been raised about Phetongtarn’s leadership among young people. According to them, he could not make decisions independently, but his father Thaksin was the controller behind major decisions.

Summary of the crisis

A phone call led to the collapse of the entire government

Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, 40 people died

Prime Minister dismissed by court, the curse of the Shinawatra family is true again

Power struggle, uncertain future

New elections are now the only way out of the crisis