A new month, a new chapter in politics on July 1st, Thailand woke up to the announcement that King had officially endorsed a new Cabinet, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's additional role as Minister of Culture. Yet by the afternoon, headlines had shifted: the Constitutional Court had voted to suspend Paetongtarn from her duties as Prime Minister, pending a judicial review over an alleged act of sedition or harm the country linked to a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s leader.
The question on many people’s minds is: How can the Prime Minister be suspended just hours after being endorsed by the King?
The answer lies in the structure of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.
=>The Role of the King: Ceremonial Authority, Not Executive Power:
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that while the King is the Head of State, his role in governance is largely ceremonial and exercised in accordance with the Constitution.
When the King signs off on a Cabinet reshuffle or appoints a Prime Minister, it is based on the advice of the Parliament or government, and it reflects a formal recognition, not a political endorsement or immunity from future legal action.
=> The Role of the Constitutional Court: Legal Oversight and Checks on Power:
The Constitutional Court, on the other hand, is the top legal authority when it comes to interpreting and enforcing the Constitution. It has the power to review the actions of public officials, including the Prime Minister, and to issue binding rulings, even if those actions have been previously endorsed through official channels.
In Paetongtarn’s case, 36 senators filed a petition alleging that her conversation with Samdech Hun Sen, in which she referred to Thailand’s Second Army commander as “the opponent,” amounted to sedition and undermined national sovereignty. The Court accepted the petition and voted 7–2 to suspend her from PM duties while the case proceeds.
Importantly, she was not removed entirely. She remains Minister of Culture, a position she was granted during the Cabinet reshuffle earlier today.
So, Does the Court Override the King?
No!!! The Constitutional Court does not “outrank” the King, nor does it contradict the monarchy. Instead, each institution operates within its own defined role:
• The King symbolizes national unity and tradition and acts in accordance with the Constitution.
• The Court ensures that political leaders operate within the law, even those who have already been royally appointed.
This is a clear example of how Thailand’s political system, despite its intensity and high-stakes moments, continues to operate within the legal framework it has established. While the situation may be dramatic, it is not entirely without precedent. For instance, in 2022, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was temporarily suspended by the Constitutional Court over term-limit concerns amid mounting political tension. However, after the review, he was allowed to resume his duties and continue serving as Prime Minister.
Author: DeNotorious