Overview

• In a 6–3 ruling, judges found an ethics breach tied to Paetongtarn’s June phone call with Hun Sen, saying she put private interest before the national interest and damaged public confidence.
• Her suspension on July 1 is now a permanent removal, and the cabinet has been dissolved with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and ministers serving in a caretaker role until a new leader is elected.
• Only candidates pre-nominated in 2023 are eligible to be prime minister, a shortlist that includes Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri, former premier Prayuth Chan-o-cha, and Anutin Charnvirakul.
• Pheu Thai’s bargaining position has weakened after Bhumjaithai quit the coalition over the scandal, and analysts expect protracted horse-trading before a parliamentary vote.
• The leaked call unfolded during a border crisis with Cambodia that later escalated into five days of fighting, killing dozens and displacing roughly 300,000 people under a ceasefire that remains fragile.