Thai Prime Minister Faces Suspension Amid Controversy Over Leaked Call

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court as it reviews a petition for her dismissal related to her controversial leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

In a significant political upheaval, Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, amid growing calls for her resignation over a leaked phone conversation. In this conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander, inciting public outrage and resulting in a petition for her ousting currently under the court's review.

If upheld, this decision would mark a notable shift, making Paetongtarn the third member of the influential Shinawatra political dynasty to lose power before completing a full term. Her ruling coalition, previously hanging by a slim majority, faced additional instability just weeks ago when a vital conservative ally severed ties.

In their deliberations, the Constitutional Court, comprising a 7-2 vote to suspend her, has granted Paetongtarn a window of 15 days to prepare her defense. In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit will step in as acting prime minister. Should the court ultimately rule against her, Paetongtarn would become the second prime minister from the Pheu Thai party to be ousted since August 2022, following her predecessor Srettha Thavisin's removal for appointing a questionable cabinet member.

At 38 years of age, Paetongtarn remains Thailand’s youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the office after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Her approval ratings have plummeted from 30.9% in March to just 9.2% last weekend as she grapples with the challenge of revitalizing a struggling economy.

In her defense of the leaked conversation, Paetongtarn described her remarks as a mere "negotiation technique" concerning ongoing border disputes. However, conservative lawmakers have fiercely criticized her for allegedly conceding to Cambodia and diminishing Thailand's military reputation.

This court ruling coincides with troubling developments for her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, himself embroiled in legal issues over accusations of insulting the monarchy during a past interview with a South Korean outlet. This trial has garnered significant attention, particularly as Thaksin's return to Thailand in 2023 followed 15 years of self-imposed exile as part of a political compromise meant to stabilize Thai politics. The outcome of these proceedings could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Shinawatra family and the Pheu Thai party.