Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after accepting a petition accusing her of breaching constitutional ethics related to a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The court’s unanimous decision requires Paetongtarn to halt all duties immediately, particularly those involving national security, foreign affairs, and finance, until a final ruling is made.
The suspension follows allegations that Paetongtarn’s private conversation, which criticized a Thai military commander over border issues with Cambodia, violated ethical standards and constitutional provisions. The controversy has intensified political tensions, leading to the withdrawal of a key coalition party and prompting a cabinet reshuffle endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as acting prime minister and is set to lead the new cabinet in a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday. Paetongtarn, Thailand’s youngest and second female prime minister and daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, has accepted the court’s ruling and will submit a formal explanation within 15 days as requested.
