Thai PM Ousted by Court, Casino Bill Faces Uncertain Future

Thailand’s political landscape has been thrown into turmoil after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office following a 6-3 Constitutional Court ruling citing serious ethical misconduct. The decision, delivered on Friday afternoon, immediately dismissed Paetongtarn and her entire Cabinet, plunging the country into uncertainty and halting ongoing legislative initiatives, including casino legalization efforts.

The controversy stemmed from a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. During the call, Paetongtarn allegedly criticized the Thai military’s handling of a border conflict on May 28 that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The leak prompted a petition signed by 36 senators, leading to her suspension in early July while awaiting the court’s verdict.

The court determined that her actions failed to meet constitutional standards of integrity. It stated that her conduct in the conversation “caused the public to cast doubt” on whether her decisions favored Cambodia over national interests and inflicted “grave damage” on the office of the prime minister.

Fallout and Impact on Casino Legislation

Paetongtarn’s removal marks her as the sixth Thai leader since 2008 to be ousted by legal or judicial action. She is also the third member of the Shinawatra family removed from the premiership, following her father Thaksin in 2006 and her aunt Yingluck in 2014. Paetongtarn assumed office in 2023 after former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was similarly dismissed for an ethics violation.

Her departure effectively freezes the Entertainment Complex Bill, which sought to legalize casino resorts to boost tourism and attract foreign investment. While the bill had gained traction under Paetongtarn’s administration, it had already been pulled from the House agenda in July amid growing public concern and political tension.

The shift in power dynamics further dims prospects for the legislation. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a long-time opponent of casino expansion, quickly declared he had secured enough parliamentary support to form a coalition government. “As Bhumjaithai’s leader and prime ministerial candidate, I have been ready since 2019,” Anutin said, emphasizing his commitment to restoring political stability.

Industry analysts note that with Anutin’s alignment with the People Party, which holds 143 parliamentary seats, any revival of the casino bill is highly unlikely under his leadership. Experts predict the proposal will be shelved indefinitely if he takes office.

What Comes Next

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead a caretaker government until a new prime minister is elected. The parliamentary process has no fixed timeline, leaving uncertainty over how quickly leadership can be stabilized.

Several candidates are vying for the role. Pheu Thai has thrown its support behind Chaikasem Nitisiri, a 77-year-old former justice minister. Other potential nominees include Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, former Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, and former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led the 2014 coup against a Pheu Thai government.

Political experts suggest that the next leader will need the backing of at least 50 MPs for nomination and at least 247 votes in the 492-member lower house to secure the position.

A Thai legal expert told AGB that the future of casino legalization depends largely on whether the Pheu Thai Party can form a new coalition. “Should Pheu Thai succeed in forming a coalition, as it did previously, I believe the proposal for legalization could be revived once the political situation stabilizes, potentially as early as next year,” the lawyer said. However, he warned that prolonged uncertainty or a call for fresh elections could delay the process by a year or more, as new feasibility studies would be required.

Despite setbacks, the Shinawatra family’s push for pro-business reforms remains a defining theme of Thai politics. Yet with Anutin signaling plans to dissolve parliament within four months of delivering his policy statement if he assumes office, the path forward for casino legalization remains highly uncertain.

Source:

Thailand casino legislation could return in 2026 if Pheu Thai forms coalition: Legal expert, agbrief.com, September 2, 2025.