On June 18, 2025, Mr. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, former senator, revealed that on June 19 at 9:30 AM, he will submit a letter requesting the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over whether she has demonstrated a lack of integrity, in violation of Article 160 (4) of the Constitution, which could potentially cause her premiership to terminate under Article 170 (4).
Mr. Ruangkrai stated that the letter includes factual and legal points as follows:
- On June 18, 2025, reports emerged in various media about a phone conversation between PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen on June 15. Both parties acknowledged the authenticity of the leaked audio. The contents may indicate a clear lack of integrity as defined by the Constitution.
- The Constitutional Court ruling No. 21/2024 stated that “integrity” is not merely the absence of corruption, but must be seen by reasonable people as a demonstration of honesty and uprightness.
- The phone call contents may reflect a breach of ethical standards required for public officials.
- According to the 2018 Ethical Standards for Constitutional Court Judges and Officials, Sections 8 and 17 require duty performance with integrity, and prohibit misuse of office or actions that damage the dignity of the position.
- Therefore, there is sufficient reason for the EC to investigate whether the contents of the audio clip reflect a breach of these standards.
- Mr. Ruangkrai also referred to Supreme Court case No. คมจ.2/2566, which held that abusing one’s position for personal gain constitutes unethical conduct that undermines public confidence and the dignity of the office.
Mr. Ruangkrai said he will submit the letter in person on June 19, as he is already scheduled to give a statement to the EC on another matter.