Thai PM gets suspended due to phone call with ex Cambodian leader
(MENAFN) Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following mounting calls for her resignation linked to a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
In the recording, Paetongtarn refers to Hun Sen as "uncle" and makes critical remarks about a senior Thai military official. The leak triggered significant public backlash and led to a formal petition demanding her removal, which is now under review by the court.
This situation could potentially make Paetongtarn the third member of the influential Shinawatra political dynasty—long a dominant force in Thai politics—to be removed from office before completing a full term.
Her government was already facing challenges, holding onto power with only a slim majority after a major conservative partner withdrew its support two weeks prior.
The court ruled by a vote of 7 to 2 to temporarily suspend her while the legal proceedings move forward. Paetongtarn has been given a 15-day window to submit her defense.
During this period, the deputy prime minister will take over as acting leader. Despite the suspension, Paetongtarn will remain part of the cabinet, having just been appointed culture minister in a reshuffle that took place shortly before the court’s decision.
On Tuesday, she reiterated her apology, explaining that her call with Hun Sen was "more than 100%... for the country." The conversation focused on a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which has grown tense again since late May after a Cambodian soldier was killed.
The audio recording sparked outrage among conservative politicians, who accused her of being overly conciliatory toward Hun Sen and weakening the position of Thailand's military.
Defending her actions, Paetongtarn stated, "I had no intent to do it for my own interest. I only thought about how to avoid chaos, avoid fighting and to avoid loss of lives. If you listened to it carefully, you'd understand that I didn't have ill intentions. This is what I'll focus and spend time on explaining thoroughly."
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