Thailand’s PM suspended over probe into leaked 'uncle' phone call with Cambodian official

Published on 01/07/2025 - 15:44 GMT+2

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra connected Tuesday, pending an morals investigation complete accusations that she was excessively deferential to a elder Cambodian leader during a telephone telephone discussing a caller separator conflict that was leaked.

In nan telephone astir the border tensions, Paetongtarn could beryllium heard addressing Hun Sen, a longtime friend of her father, arsenic "uncle".

She besides urged him not to perceive to a Thai location service commandant who had publically criticised Cambodia astir nan separator dispute, and called him "an opponent".

Paetongtarn has faced increasing dissatisfaction complete her handling of the dispute, which progressive an equipped confrontation connected 28 May successful which 1 Cambodian worker was killed.

She attempted to defuse tensions successful a telephone pinch Cambodian Senate President and erstwhile Prime Minister Hun Sen, but alternatively sparked a drawstring of complaints and nationalist protests from critics who accused her of being excessively fawning.

Paetongtarn's suspension raises nan anticipation of renewed instability successful Thailand, a still vulnerable populist that has suffered respective akin bouts of uncertainty.

At nan guidelines of overmuch of this was interest from nan blimpish establishment, including nan military, that nan governmental dynasty initiated by Paetongtarn's father, nan celebrated but divisive erstwhile Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was becoming excessively powerful.

She is nan 3rd personnel of her family to clasp nan premier minister's agency and nan 3rd to look nan anticipation of removal earlier her word ended.

Thaksin was removed from agency successful a 2006 coup and driven into exile, while his sister, erstwhile Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, was removed by a tribunal bid successful 2014, followed soon aft by a coup.

The suspension besides comes astatine a clip erstwhile nan state is facing an economical slowdown and increasing discontent pinch Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai party, pinch critics saying her government's capacity has been underwhelming.

Judges voted unanimously connected Tuesday to return nan petition accusing her of a breach of ethics, and voted 7-2 to instantly suspend her from work arsenic nan premier curate until nan ruling is given.

The tribunal gave Paetongtarn 15 days to springiness grounds to support her case.

Anger complete telephone telephone persists

After nan tribunal order, Paetongtarn said she would judge nan process and defended her actions.

"I only thought astir what to do to debar troubles, what to do to debar equipped confrontation, for nan soldiers not to suffer immoderate loss. I wouldn't beryllium capable to judge it if I said thing pinch nan different leader that could lead to antagonistic consequences," she said.

She besides apologised to group upset complete nan leaked telephone and near nan Government House soon after.

Suriya Jungrungruangkit, who serves arsenic lawman premier curate and carrier minister, will return complaint arsenic nan acting premier minister, authorities charismatic Chousak Sirinil said.

Thousands of conservative, nationalist-leaning protesters rallied successful cardinal Bangkok connected Saturday to request Paetongtarn's resignation.

Paetongtarn besides faces abstracted investigations by different agency complete nan leaked call, a lawsuit that could besides lead to her removal.

Thailand's courts, particularly nan Constitutional Court, are viewed arsenic a defender of nan royalist establishment, which has utilized them and nominally independent agencies specified arsenic nan Election Commission to cripple aliases descend governmental opponents.