Thailand’s Constitutional Court to Rule on Prime Minister’s Future Over Leaked Call
Thailand’s constitutional court will rule on Friday whether suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra should be dismissed from office over remarks made during a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader.
Paetongtarn, the country’s youngest prime minister, was suspended last month after the recording surfaced, featuring her discussion with Hun Sen about an ongoing border dispute between the two neighboring nations.
Opponents claim the call showed her neglecting Thailand’s interests, particularly when referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and suggesting she would accommodate his requests. She also criticized a high-ranking Thai military official during the exchange.
The daughter of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn later apologized, calling her statements a strategic move.
Nevertheless, the leaked call has triggered a severe political crisis for her administration, barely a year after taking power.
In June, one of her coalition partners withdrew support, weakening her parliamentary majority, while protests erupted in Bangkok with demonstrators calling for her resignation.
Friday’s hearing follows a petition by a group of senators, who argue that her conduct lacked integrity and breached ethical standards.
Her potential removal could deepen political uncertainty, as there is no clear successor.
The fallout from the call also worsened relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Shortly after the leak, border tensions escalated into a five-day clash, resulting in casualties and mass displacement.
Critics further allege that her family’s ties to Hun Sen compromise Thailand’s interests.
Hun Sen released the full recording and hinted at disclosing damaging information about Thaksin, despite their former friendship, which has since soured for undisclosed reasons.
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