Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The court today announced it has accepted a petition filed by 36 senators, accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and violating ethical standards under the constitution. The petition concerns a politically sensitive telephone conversation with the former Cambodian leader, linked to her handling of a recent border clash. The court said the judges voted unanimously to accept the petition, and by a 7-2 vote, decided to suspend her from duty while the case proceeds.
The controversy follows a border clash on May 28 that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. A leaked phone call, reportedly recorded during Paetongtarn’s diplomatic efforts to ease the situation, intensified public criticism and triggered street protests. During the June 15 phone call, Paetongtarn was heard criticising a Thai army commander and bowing to Hun Sen, moves seen as crossing a political red line in a country where the military wields significant influence. The 38-year-old leader later apologised, saying her remarks were a negotiating tactic.
The Thai government is expected to be led by a Deputy Prime Minister in a caretaker role until the court delivers a final verdict.
The scandal has also weakened her position politically, with her ruling coalition now holding only a razor-thin majority in Parliament. Paetongtarn Shinawatra was sworn in as Prime Minister on August 16 last year after her party formed a coalition government.
Must Read
- Advertisement -
