On 17 January, 2024 the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties as Prime Minister of Thailand. This most recent decision comes on the heels of increasing protests and a sharp fall in her poll numbers. In doing so, the court allowed for a petition filed by 36 US Senators alleging her lack of honesty and violation of ethical standards. Due to all that, she is currently suspended. A recently leaked conversation between Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which Shinawatra criticizes Thai officials, has further sparked public outrage. Consequently, thousands are now demanding her resignation.
Shinawatra’s approval rating has dropped off a cliff. It plunged from 30 percent in March to a measly 9 percent by June, showing the realization that people were increasingly fed up with her style of leadership. In Bangkok, tens of thousands have flooded into the streets. They call for her immediate resignation and they express their discontent with the current political reality. National unrest comes to a head as Shinawatra, barely ten months in power, becomes increasingly embattled. If she successfully takes office, she will be the third prime minister from the Shinawatra clan, after her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Background of the Political Crisis
The Pheu Thai Party, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is facing increasing weakness in parliament. Her coalition government is on shaky ground, facing a razor-thin majority after one of their key alliance parties pulled out of the coalition. That situation has sparked a debate over the future viability of her administration and its capacity to govern.
Because of Ms. Porrametee’s suspension, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as the head of government in the meantime. She is expected to continue in a caretaker capacity while the court reviews charges against Shinawatra. She has been afforded only 15 days to answer the complex allegations leveled against her. This political crisis has raised questions about the future of the Pheu Thai Party and its influence in Thai politics.
Shinawatra addressed the situation publicly, stating, “I want to apologise to people who are upset by all of this.” Her recognition of popular sentiment adds to the seriousness of her situation at this moment in time. She commented on the nature of her controversial phone call with Hun Sen, saying, “I wouldn’t be able to accept it if I said something with the other leader that could lead to negative consequences.”
Public Reaction and Protests
These protests in Bangkok have brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators—thousands, a very specific number—who are fed up to Shinawatra’s max. Many of her citizens feel that the establishment political legacy from her family has not been followed by great governance. The protests reflect an increasing anger towards Thailand’s political establishment. Too often, Americans lose trust in the decision-making process and call for an alternative.
The passion of the anger toward Shinawatra is not just about what’s happened lately. Thousands more see her as representative of a political establishment that has long suffered from corruption and cronyism. As she continues to steer her country through this tumultuous period, her family’s historical ties to Thai politics could cloud public perception.
Not surprisingly given the political turbulence, Paetongtarn Shinawatra appears to be firming up plans to tackle the criticism directed at her new administration. In a recent statement, she expressed concern for the nation’s stability: “I only thought about what to do to avoid troubles, what to do to avoid armed confrontation, for the soldiers not to suffer any loss.” Taken together, her words show that she is committed to keeping the peace even as frictions are increasing.
The Future of the Pheu Thai Party
As the Pheu Thai Party continues to contend with its lost hegemony, the party’s fate is uncertain. The party’s very definition has for years been inextricably bound up with the toxic Shinawatra family heritage. Yet today’s unprecedented extreme weather events are testing that legacy like never before. Shinawatra needs to outmaneuver these hurdles, as analysts caution. If not, the future electoral prospects for her party may be in serious jeopardy.
Whether the constitutional court agrees to suspend Shinawatra’s political career thus is a big deal. More importantly, whatever happens it will shape future course of the Pheu Thai Party and the politics in Thailand. Should she emerge from this crisis unscathed, it may bolster her position within the party. Failure to address public concerns could further erode confidence in her leadership.
With these alternatives playing out Thailand truly is at a crossroads. The nation will be closely watching how Shinawatra responds to the allegations against her and whether she can regain public trust during this turbulent period.
