Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been forced to step down just a year after taking office. Thailand's ruling alliance remains together and the Pheu Thai party is confident it will form a government and remain at the core of the coalition, the country's acting premier said on Friday, following a court's dismissal of the prime minister.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the 39-year-old, who had already been suspended in early July, violated ethical principles in a leaked phone conversation and must relinquish her position. The court's verdict was broadcast live on its website on Friday.
Including Paetongtarn, the court has now removed five prime ministers within 17 years.
Paetongtarn told journalists that she accepts the court's decision.
The entire Cabinet must also resign, although it will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
Interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will continue to oversee government affairs until parliament elects a new head of government.
The court case centred on a leaked audio recording of a phone call between Paetongtarn, from Thailand's powerful Shinawatra dynasty and Cambodia's former long-time ruler and current Senate President Hun Sen.
In the June conversation, which concerned a simmering border conflict that escalated shortly afterwards before ending in July, she referred to a senior military officer in the border region as her "opponent"and addressed Hun Sen, who is close to her family, as "uncle".
The remarks caused a stir in Thailand and sparked protests, leading to a petition from 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of serious ethical violations. The second largest coalition party also left the government despite her apology.
Paetongtarn said her actions were solely aimed at protecting the public interest and safeguarding the citizens of the country.
She added that Friday's ruling would bring major political changes to Thailand.
It remains unclear whether the new prime minister will once again come from Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party.
Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, both served as prime ministers but were ousted in coups. — dpa
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