Thailand Court Suspends Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Over Leaked Phone Call

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office on Tuesday, following an ethics investigation linked to her leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. In a 7-2 unanimous decision, the court ruled her conduct breached ethical standards, triggering immediate removal from her duties pending further proceedings.

The suspension comes amid mounting criticism over Paetongtarn's handling of border clashes with Cambodia, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier in an armed confrontation on May 28. Public outrage intensified after the leak, in which she appeared to make conciliatory remarks towards Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and criticised a regional army commander, prompting accusations of undermining Thailand's military integrity. The scandal fractured the ruling coalition, leading to the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai party.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn has since approved a partial Cabinet reshuffle, including the replacement of former Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul. Paetongtarn also holds the culture minister position and is under separate investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. She acknowledged her concerns about the suspension but pledged to respect the legal process. “If you ask me whether I’m worried, I am,” she told reporters Monday. The episode has drawn comparisons to last year's dismissal of her predecessor, who was also removed for ethical violations.