A fresh Thailand Political Shake-Up: Paetongtarn Shinawatra Removed, Anutin Charnvirakul Elected as Prime Minister Amid unrest. Thailand’s political landscape has once again been upended in dramatic fashion. On August 29, 2025, the Constitutional Court of Thailand removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over a leaked phone call scandal with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
Just days later, the Thai parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, as the country’s new prime minister. His election marks the third leadership change in two years, underscoring the volatility of Thai politics. This article dives deep into the scandal that brought down Paetongtarn, the enduring turbulence surrounding the Shinawatra dynasty, and Anutin’s rise to the top including his political biography, controversial policies, and the challenges he faces in the months ahead.
Thailand Political Shake-Up: Paetongtarn Shinawatra Removed, Anutin Charnvirakul Elected as Prime Minister Amid unrest
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Fall from Power
The Leaked Phone Call with Hun Sen
On June 15, 2025, as border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated, a phone call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen was leaked to the press.
In the audio recording, Paetongtarn could be heard:
- Referring to Hun Sen as “uncle.”
- Criticizing the Thai army’s handling of border clashes.
- Suggesting that Hun Sen could “just tell me what he wants, and I will take care of it.”
These remarks were deemed inappropriate, compromising, and damaging to Thailand’s national interests, especially at a time when nationalist sentiment was running high.
Border Conflict Aftermath
The phone call fueled outrage, especially among conservatives and the military. Within weeks, tensions escalated into a five-day border conflict between Thai and Cambodian forces, leaving 38 people dead mostly civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes.
The opposition seized on the leak, accusing Paetongtarn of betraying national security and placing personal relationships above Thailand’s sovereignty.
The Constitutional Court’s Verdict
On August 29, the Constitutional Court delivered a 6–3 ruling, declaring that Paetongtarn:
- “Lacks the qualifications and possesses prohibited characteristics” under the Thai constitution.
- “Lacked demonstrable honesty and integrity.”
- “Seriously violated ethical standards” through her conduct.
The decision not only dismissed Paetongtarn but also dissolved her cabinet, plunging Thailand into another round of political instability.
Paetongtarn’s Response
Following the verdict, Paetongtarn issued a public apology, saying her remarks were a negotiation tactic intended to calm tensions with Cambodia.
At a press conference, she stated:
“This is another time that the court’s decision has created a sudden political change. As a Thai, I love my nation, religion, and the king. Thank you to everyone who gave me knowledge and experience.”
Despite her appeal for understanding, the damage was done. Paetongtarn became the latest Shinawatra family member to be toppled by the courts, continuing a familiar cycle in Thai politics.
The Shinawatra Dynasty’s Decline
A Political Family Under Siege
For more than two decades, the Shinawatra family has dominated Thai elections but struggled to stay in power.
- Thaksin Shinawatra (2001–2006): Ousted in a military coup.
- Yingluck Shinawatra (2011–2014): Removed by court ruling, followed by a coup.
- Somchai Wongsawat (2008): Brief tenure cut short by judicial intervention.
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra (2024–2025): Removed over phone call scandal.
Each time, their populist agenda won widespread support from rural voters but drew fierce resistance from the Bangkok-based royalist and military establishment.
The Role of the Courts
The judiciary has consistently acted as a political referee, often ruling against Shinawatra-backed governments. In the last three years alone:
- Two prime ministers have been removed.
- An election-winning party has been dissolved.
- Coalition governments have collapsed under legal and political pressure.
For critics, this reflects the establishment’s refusal to allow popular reformist movements to govern freely.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Shadow
Even after his exile and legal troubles, Thaksin Shinawatra continues to influence Thai politics behind the scenes. His recent departure to Dubai just before Paetongtarn’s dismissal further highlighted the family’s waning power and fractured influence.
The Power Vacuum and Anutin’s Opportunity
Paetongtarn’s downfall created an immediate leadership crisis. Under Thailand’s constitution, the 500-member parliament must elect a new prime minister.
Candidates Considered
- Chaikasem Nitisiri: Former justice minister nominated by Pheu Thai, but lacked coalition support.
- Anutin Charnvirakul: Bhumjaithai Party leader who had resigned as deputy prime minister and interior minister in protest over Paetongtarn’s scandal.
Anutin’s Path to Power
On September 5, 2025, parliament voted:
- 247 MPs supported Anutin, giving him the majority needed.
- The People’s Party, Thailand’s largest bloc, offered conditional support in exchange for fresh elections within four months.
With this, Anutin became Thailand’s new prime minister, marking a dramatic political comeback.
Who Is Anutin Charnvirakul?
Family and Business Background
Anutin Charnvirakul, 58 years old, hails from a wealthy construction family. His father founded Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction, one of Thailand’s largest infrastructure firms and the builder of the new parliament complex.
Education and Early Career
- Studied engineering in the United States.
- Returned to Thailand to join the family business.
- Entered politics in the early 2000s under Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai Party.
Political Career
- Served as Deputy Prime Minister, Health Minister, and Interior Minister.
- Gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, though criticized for slow vaccine procurement.
- Achieved notoriety in 2022 for legalizing cannabis, a groundbreaking but controversial reform.
Anutin’s Political Style
Anutin is often described as:
- Pragmatic – more dealmaker than ideologue.
- Transactional – willing to switch alliances to survive politically.
- Royalist – consistently supportive of the monarchy, making him palatable to the conservative establishment.
His Bhumjaithai Party controls just 69 seats, but his coalition-building skills have allowed him to remain at the heart of Thai politics.
Key Challenges Facing Anutin’s Premiership
1. Short Mandate and Upcoming Elections
- The People’s Party has demanded new elections within four months.
- Anutin’s government may only be temporary, giving him little time to leave a lasting legacy.
2. Political Stability
- Thailand has faced two decades of coups, judicial interventions, and protests.
- Anutin must balance royalist support with demands for constitutional reform.
3. Economic Struggles
- Post-pandemic recovery has been uneven.
- Tourism, a key driver, faces regional competition.
- Inflation and inequality remain pressing issues.
4. Cannabis Regulation
- His 2022 cannabis legalization remains controversial.
- Critics argue the rollout was chaotic, fueling an unregulated market.
- Anutin may push for stricter oversight to salvage the policy.
5. Relations with Cambodia
- The border clashes that followed Paetongtarn’s phone call left deep scars.
- Restoring bilateral trust will test Anutin’s diplomatic skills.
Public Perception of Anutin
Anutin’s image divides opinion:
- Supporters see him as a pragmatic problem-solver who can stabilize Thailand.
- Critics view him as opportunistic, driven by business interests more than public service.
- His cannabis policy remains a lightning rod, praised by reformists but attacked by conservatives.
What’s Next for Thailand?
Thailand’s immediate future is marked by uncertainty:
- Anutin’s short term as prime minister could either stabilize politics or deepen divisions.
- Fresh elections will likely reshape parliament, with the Shinawatra dynasty weakened and the People’s Party rising.
- The cycle of judicial intervention and political instability shows little sign of ending.
For many Thais, this moment feels familiar: a brief reshuffling of elites while deeper reform demands remain unmet.
Conclusion
Thailand’s latest political drama the removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the election of Anutin Charnvirakul reflects the kingdom’s enduring struggle between popular mandates and establishment power.
Anutin now faces the difficult task of governing amid economic woes, regional tensions, and looming elections. Whether he emerges as a stabilizer or merely another short-lived prime minister will depend on his ability to deliver results in record time.
One thing is clear:
Thailand’s turbulent cycle of dynastic politics, court interventions, and fragile coalitions is far from over.
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