Paetongtarn, 39, Thailand’s youngest premier, becomes the sixth Shinawatra-linked leader removed from power by either the courts or the military in nearly two decades of bitter political rivalry. The court ruled she violated ethics in a leaked June phone call in which she appeared to defer to Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries.

The decision leaves her Pheu Thai Party weakened, with rivals quickly maneuvering to take advantage. The Bhumjaithai Party, which had left Paetongtarn’s coalition, emerged as an early frontrunner, with leader Anutin Charnvirakul lobbying other parties and pledging to dissolve parliament within four months if he takes office.

In a 6–3 decision, the Constitutional Court said Paetongtarn placed her private inte

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