Thai Court Ousts PM in What Critics Call a “Judicial Coup”
Bangkok, Thailand — August 29, 2025.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, a ruling many observers are calling a “judicial coup” — the latest in a series of court interventions that have overturned the will of voters and deepened the country’s democratic crisis.
The court, in a 6–3 decision, found that Paetongtarn violated ethical standards during a leaked phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Within minutes of the ruling, she was stripped of her premiership, despite her election victory just last year.
Courts as Coup-Makers
While coups in Thailand are often associated with tanks in the streets, the courts have increasingly played that role in black robes rather than fatigues. This marks at least the third time in two decades the judiciary has unseated an elected prime minister.
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In 2008, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was ousted for hosting a cooking show.
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In 2014, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra — Paetongtarn’s aunt — was dismissed over an administrative transfer.
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Now, in 2025, the court has once again wielded constitutional clauses as political weapons.
“Thailand has replaced the military coup with the judicial coup,” said political analyst Pavin Chachavalpongpun. “The outcome is the same: elected governments do not survive.”
Parliament Sidestepped
Thailand’s parliament never voted to remove Paetongtarn. Though weakened by coalition defections, she retained a fragile majority. The case instead came from a Senate petition, giving unelected judges the final word.
“This wasn’t a vote of no confidence,” said opposition MP Rangsiman Rome. “It was nine unelected men deciding the voters’ choice no longer counted.”
Democratic Deficit Deepens
Protesters rallied at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument within hours of the ruling, denouncing what they called a “black-robe coup.” Social media hashtags comparing the decision to the 2014 military putsch trended across Thai Twitter.
Rights groups echoed the criticism. “Today’s ruling was a judicial coup, plain and simple,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “It undermines democratic governance and erodes faith in elections.”
What Happens Next
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is serving as caretaker while parliament scrambles to nominate a successor. But critics warn the damage has already been done.
“The message to voters is clear,” said Bangkok Post columnist Veera Prateepchaikul. “You can elect a prime minister, but the courts — not the people — will decide if they stay.”
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