Thailand's prime minister has been removed by the Constitutional Court, plunging the country's politics into turmoil and dealing a blow to its most powerful political dynasty.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed for violating ethics in a leaked June phone call, where she could be heard calling Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen uncle and criticising the Thai army, amid worsening border tensions with Cambodia.
The call, leaked by Hun Sen himself, damaged her reputation and critics accused her of undermining the country's army.
The ruling makes Paetongtarn, the daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the fifth prime minister to be removed from office by the court since 2008.
On Friday, the court's nine judges voted six to three against Paetongtarn, ruling that her actions had violated ethical standards expected of her office.
The court stated that Paetongtarn possessed a personal relationship that appeared to align with Cambodia and dismissed her claims that the call was a personal negotiation to... bring back peace without using violence.
The court claimed her actions caused the public to cast doubt on whether she acted in the interest of Thailand or Cambodia.
Paetongtarn acknowledged the court's verdict but maintained she aimed to save lives during rising tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border, which escalated into violent conflict weeks later.
Having joined Pheu Thai in 2021, she had rapidly ascended to power following the dismissal of her predecessor. Her ousting has prompted the conservative Bhumjaithai party, her former coalition partner, to announce it has sufficient support to form a new government.
Paetongtarn’s removal is a significant setback for the Shinawatra family, who have previously held sway over Thai politics. She follows in the footsteps of her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck, both of whom were removed from power under controversial circumstances.
The long-term ramifications of her dismissal on Thai governance and the Shinawatra legacy remain uncertain.
