Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has come undermounting pressure to resignover her leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The clip, in which Paetongtarncalled him "uncle"and criticised a Thai military commander, sparked public anger and a petition for her dismissal, which the court is now considering. That would make Paetongtarn the third politician in the powerful Shinawatra clan - which has dominated Thai politics for the past two decades - to lose power before completing their term. Her ruling coalition is already teetering with a slim majority after a key conservative ally abandoned it two weeks ago. The Constitutional Court voted 7-2 to suspend her while they consider the case for her dismissal and she has 15 days to present her defence. In the meantime deputy PM Suriya Jungrungruangkit will serve as the country's acting leader. If she is eventually dismissed, Paetongtarn will be the second prime minister from the Pheu Thai party to be removed from premiership since August last year. At that time, her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was dismissed for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who was once jailed. Days later Paetongtarn - whose father is Thailand's deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra - was sworn in as prime minister. The 38-year-old remains Thailand's youngest leader andonly the second womanto be PM after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Already struggling to revive a weak economy, Paetongtarn saw her approval rating fall to 9.2% last weekend, down from 30.9% in March. She apologised for what she had said in the leaked call, defending it as a "negotiation technique" over recent border disputes. But conservative lawmakers accused her of bowing down to Cambodia and undermining Thailand's military. The court's decision comes on the same day as Paetongtarn's father, who was seen as the driving force behind her government, battles his own political troubles. Thaksin is fightingcharges of insulting the monarchyover an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper nine years ago. His trial started on Tuesday. The controversial political leader, who returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in exile, is the most high-profile figure to face charges under the country's notorious lese majeste law. Thaksin's return was part ofa grand compromisebetween Pheu Thai and its former conservative foes. They include the military, which deposed two Shinawatra governments in coups, and groups close to the monarchy.
Thai prime minister suspended over leaked phone call
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"Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended Amid Political Turmoil"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid growing calls for her resignation following a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. In the controversial recording, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as 'uncle' and criticized a Thai military commander, which provoked public outrage and led to a petition for her dismissal. The court's ruling, decided by a 7-2 vote, means that Paetongtarn must defend herself within 15 days while Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit steps in as acting leader. This situation marks a significant moment for the Shinawatra clan, as Paetongtarn would become the third member to be ousted from power prematurely, which underscores the instability of her ruling coalition that is already on shaky ground after losing a key conservative ally two weeks prior.
As Thailand's youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the position, Paetongtarn's leadership has faced increasing challenges. Her approval rating plummeted to 9.2% from 30.9% in March, reflecting the public's discontent as she grapples with a struggling economy. Despite her attempts to justify the remarks made in the leaked call as a 'negotiation technique' related to border disputes, conservative lawmakers have accused her of compromising Thailand's military integrity. Compounding her troubles is the ongoing legal battle of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces charges of insulting the monarchy, a charge stemming from comments made nine years ago. Thaksin's return to Thailand in 2023 was part of a political compromise with former adversaries, including the military, which has previously deposed two Shinawatra governments. The interplay of these political dynamics poses significant implications for the stability of Thailand's government and its future leadership.
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