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Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as it deliberates a petition for her dismissal, following a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The decision, made on Tuesday with a 7-2 vote, comes after the call sparked widespread public and political backlash, with accusations that Paetongtarn undermined Thailand’s military and national interests.
In the leaked audio, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticised a Thai military commander, comments that particularly angered conservative lawmakers. The conversation centred on a decades-old border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which has seen renewed tensions since a Cambodian soldier’s death in late May. Paetongtarn defended her actions, stating the call was “100% for the country” and aimed at avoiding conflict and loss of life. She has 15 days to present her defence to the court. While suspended, Paetongtarn will remain in the cabinet as culture minister, a role assigned during a reshuffle hours before the court’s ruling. The deputy prime minister will act as the country’s leader in the interim. If dismissed, Paetongtarn would become the third Shinawatra family member to lose power prematurely, following her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. The decision highlights the Constitutional Court’s significant influence in Thai politics, having dissolved 34 parties since 2006 and removed Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, last year. Critics argue the court’s powers are often used to target political opponents, undermining democratic processes. Political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich noted that while the suspension reflects public discontent, it raises questions about the legitimacy of such judicial interventions. Paetongtarn, Thailand’s youngest prime minister at 38 and the second woman to hold the office, is also grappling with a faltering economy and a plummeting approval rating, which dropped to 9.2% last weekend from 30.9% in March. Her coalition government faces further instability after a key conservative ally withdrew support two weeks ago. On the same day as her suspension, Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, faced trial for allegedly insulting the monarchy, a charge tied to a 2015 interview. Thaksin, a polarizing figure who returned from exile in 2023, is the most prominent individual prosecuted under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law. His return was part of a political deal between his Pheu Thai party and former conservative rivals, including military factions that previously ousted Shinawatra-led governments. The suspension has fuelled protests in Bangkok, with thousands demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation, accusing her of betraying national interests. As Thailand navigates this political turmoil, the court’s final ruling could further reshape the country’s fragile political landscape.
