The winds of change

Thailand’s political landscape is poised for dramatic change now that the Constitutional Court has stripped Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the premiership for her failure to uphold ethics expected of the highest public office holder.

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The ruling, which stemmed from the leaked audio conversation she had with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, dealt a crushing blow to the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government.

Beyond the immediate leadership vacuum, the verdict energised conservative forces struggling to assert dominance after the 2023 general election, setting the stage for a turbulent reshaping of the country’s politics.

Ms Paetongtarn’s rise to power was steeped in symbolism. As a daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, her premiership marked the restoration of the Shinawatra political dynasty after years of coups, court interventions, and shifting alliances, a source observed.

While her leadership was intended to reconcile Pheu Thai’s populist legacy with pragmatic coalition politics, her sudden ouster underscored how fragile elected governments are in the face of conservative institutions that retain significant influence.

The Constitutional Court's ruling not only removed her from power but also disqualified her from assuming executive posts in listed companies over her lack of “demonstrable” ethics, igniting outrage among her supporters.

For conservatives, however, it was a moment of vindication — a reminder of their enduring ability to shape the trajectory of Thai politics through institutional checks and legal rulings, the source said.

In the months following the 2023 election, conservative parties such as Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation found themselves relegated to secondary roles. They were eclipsed by Pheu Thai's strategic coalition-building and overshadowed by the Move Forward Party — now the People’s Party (PP)— surge among younger voters. However, Ms Paetongtam’s downfall provides conservatives with an unexpected opening.