Overview

• Judges ruled 6–3 that Paetongtarn put private ties above the national interest in a June call with Hun Sen, causing a loss of public confidence.
• The leaked recording captured her addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticizing a Thai commander during a period of rising border tensions.
• Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the cabinet now serve in a caretaker role with no deadline for parliament’s vote on a new premier.
• Only five pre-registered candidates are eligible for the top job, including Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri; Anutin Charnvirakul and former premier Prayuth Chan-o-cha are also on the list.
• Pheu Thai’s coalition has weakened after Bhumjaithai quit, complicating talks as a shaky ceasefire follows July border clashes that killed over 40 people and displaced roughly 300,000.