Vietnam and Thailand have formally elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking the highest level of political and economic cooperation between the two countries. The announcement was made on Friday during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit to Vietnam. This upgrade aims to enhance political ties and boost bilateral trade. Vietnam now has 13 comprehensive strategic partners, with Thailand becoming the fourth ASEAN country to achieve this status. This development reflects a notable expansion in Vietnam's international partnerships, which previously included only Russia, China, and India at this level between 2001 and 2016.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday voted 7–2 to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty while it weighs a petition from 36 senators seeking her dismissal for alleged violations of ministerial ethics. The complaint centres on a leaked 15 June phone call in which Shinawatra appeared deferential to former Cambodian premier Hun Sen during discussions on a deadly border clash. The 38-year-old leader, in office for less than a year, has 15 days to submit a defence. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has assumed the role of caretaker prime minister until the court reaches a verdict, a process that could take months. Disclosure of the call—during which Shinawatra reportedly addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticised a Thai army commander—sparked nationalist outrage, street demonstrations in Bangkok and the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party, leaving the ruling coalition with a razor-thin parliamentary majority. The suspension deepens political turbulence for the influential Shinawatra dynasty. On the same day, Paetongtarn’s father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, appeared in court to face royal-defamation charges, underscoring a power struggle that has repeatedly pitted elected governments against conservative and military-aligned institutions over the past two decades.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday ordered Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step aside while it hears a petition accusing her of breaching ministerial ethics. The nine-member bench accepted the complaint unanimously and, in a 7-2 vote, temporarily suspended the 38-year-old leader less than a year into her term. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has assumed the role of acting premier. The case centres on a 15 June audio recording in which Paetongtarn, addressing former Cambodian prime minister and current Senate President Hun Sen as “uncle,” appeared to criticise a Thai army commander and offer concessions during efforts to calm a border standoff that turned deadly on 28 May. Thirty-six senators contend the call undermined national dignity and violated constitutional ethics. Paetongtarn, who apologised publicly and said her aim was to prevent further violence, has 15 days to submit a written defence. Her suspension deepens the turmoil facing the Shinawatra political dynasty. The Bhumjaithai Party quit the governing coalition last week, erasing Paetongtarn’s comfortable majority, while her father and family patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra appeared in court on a separate royal-defamation charge on Tuesday. The ethics probe could last months, prolonging uncertainty as the caretaker government grapples with weak economic growth and heightened tensions with Cambodia.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, aged 38, successfully withstood a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, securing 319 votes in her favor, with 162 votes against and seven abstentions. The vote followed a two-day debate during which opposition lawmakers criticized her administration's management and alleged her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, exerted undue influence over her governance. Paetongtarn, who took office in August 2024 as the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, faced accusations of being a puppet of her father, who returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in exile. Thaksin, a controversial figure known by the nickname Ung Ing, was ousted in a 2006 coup and later pardoned by the king in August 2024 after serving part of an eight-year sentence. The opposition also raised concerns about tax evasion and the government's handling of national issues such as the economy, air pollution, crime, and corruption. Following the vote, Paetongtarn expressed gratitude to all parties involved, stating on social media that every vote would motivate her and her cabinet to continue working diligently for the Thai people. This no-confidence motion was the first she faced since becoming prime minister after the ouster of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin following the 2023 elections.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 1 July, pending an ethics investigation into a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit was sworn in as caretaker leader but is expected to hold the post for only a day because a pre-approved cabinet reshuffle will place incoming Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai higher in the line of succession. The nine-judge panel accepted a petition from 36 senators who accuse Paetongtarn of violating the constitution’s ethical code by referring to a Thai military commander as an “opponent” during a 17-minute call that sought to calm a deadly border clash in late May. She has 15 days to mount a defence; if the court rules against her, parliament must elect a new premier. Paetongtarn, 38, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister last August and is the third member of the powerful Shinawatra family to be forced from office. Her approval rating slid to 9 percent in June, from 31 percent in March, after the flap over the call and the exit of coalition partner Bhumjaithai. Investor sentiment has softened as the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s majority wavers and street protests grow. The suspension deepens uncertainty for Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy just as Paetongtarn’s father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, begins a royal-defamation trial that could carry a 15-year sentence. Market watchers say the court’s eventual ruling—and the legislature’s ability to agree on a successor—will be critical to restoring confidence and avoiding a return to the military interventions that have punctuated Thai politics for two decades.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has publicly denied allegations of government interference in various cases, including the Alpine land case and claims of tax evasion through promissory notes. The Interior Ministry's Department of Lands has swiftly refuted claims made by opposition leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan regarding her involvement in the Alpine land case, asserting that the title deeds for the Thames Valley Khao Yai and Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club were lawfully issued. Shinawatra also faced criticism from an opposition MP for her handling of fine dust pollution, which the MP attributed to a lack of leadership. Additionally, reports surfaced indicating that Thai officials had secretly planned to deport at least 40 Uyghur men to China while publicly denying such intentions. This deportation plan reportedly began discussions in December, shortly after Shinawatra's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Thai Cabinet has decided to postpone the introduction of a bill aimed at legalizing casinos within entertainment complexes, which was originally scheduled for discussion in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that coalition parties reached a consensus to defer the tabling of the bill amid growing opposition. The proposal, which the government has promoted as a means to attract investment and enhance tourism, has faced criticism from the main opposition party, the People's Party. Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut articulated five objections to the ruling Pheu Thai Party's initiative, despite the previous Move Forward Party having proposed similar legalization measures.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has declared assets exceeding $400 million, as confirmed by her political party. The declaration includes over 200 designer handbags valued at more than $2 million and at least 75 luxury watches worth nearly $5 million. The total asset declaration was filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Additional reports indicate that her collection also features 23 luxury cars. The declaration highlights the substantial wealth of the Prime Minister, which has drawn attention both domestically and internationally.

Thailand's anti-corruption committee is investigating Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following her suspension from office. This development follows the leak of a phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's Hun Sen, which has triggered a series of events with potential implications for Thai politics. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father, has appeared in court to defend himself against royal defamation charges that could result in a 15-year prison sentence. The criminal court is expected to announce its verdict on Thaksin's lese-majeste case on August 22, coinciding with the second anniversary of his return to Thailand. The case originated after the military junta that ousted his sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, initiated the charges.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was hospitalized late on April 24 due to a high fever following her return from Cambodia. She underwent a comprehensive physical examination and was discharged from the hospital on April 25. Meanwhile, Thailand's exports in March surged by 17.8% year-on-year to reach a record value of USD 29.5 billion, marking the highest growth in three years, driven by accelerated demand.

Thailand's Bhumjaithai party, which exited the ruling coalition last week, has announced plans to initiate a parliamentary no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinwatra and her cabinet. The move follows a leaked phone call in which Paetongtarn criticized a Thai army commander, exacerbating tensions within the government. The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), holding 19 MPs, has declared its support for the motion alongside Bhumjaithai's 69 MPs, totaling 88 MPs. This coalition is working toward the required threshold of at least one-fifth of the 495-member parliament to submit the motion. Meanwhile, the main opposition People's Party has not yet confirmed whether it will join the no-confidence effort, stating that discussions are ongoing. The political instability coincides with the upcoming trial of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra, father of the current Prime Minister, on lèse majesté charges related to a 2015 interview alleging royal advisers' involvement in a coup that ousted his sister. The trial and internal government rifts contribute to concerns about potential political chaos in Thailand.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing a severe political crisis following the leak of a private phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The June 15 call, in which Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "Uncle" and criticized a senior Thai military officer as an "opponent," has sparked widespread outrage and intensified tensions amid an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The leak prompted the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest member of the ruling coalition, significantly weakening Paetongtarn's parliamentary majority and putting her government on the brink of collapse. Opposition parties and pro-royalist groups have called for her resignation, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a formal protest with Cambodia over the diplomatic breach. Despite mounting pressure, Paetongtarn has apologized publicly and stated she will neither resign nor dissolve parliament. She has initiated a cabinet reshuffle and engaged in diplomatic and military outreach, including visiting troops along the Thai-Cambodian border and meeting with military commanders. The Thai Army has imposed comprehensive border closures with Cambodia, and Cambodia has responded by halting fuel imports from Thailand, further escalating bilateral tensions. Additionally, the National Anti-Corruption Commission has opened a preliminary investigation into Paetongtarn for alleged ethical violations related to the leaked call. The political turmoil threatens to derail Paetongtarn's government less than a year into her tenure and casts uncertainty over Thailand's domestic stability and policy initiatives, including plans to legalize casino resorts by 2029.