Thailand has plunged into fresh political uncertainty after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, following a petition that accused her of breaching the country’s ethical conduct rules.
The suspension comes in the wake of a controversial leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that surfaced last month, sparking a political firestorm and weakening the governing coalition.
In the leaked audio clip, which was widely circulated on social media and later confirmed by Cambodian authorities, Paetongtarn was heard referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and allegedly making remarks critical of a senior Thai military commander.
The comments were perceived by critics and political opponents as undermining Thailand’s national security and compromising the dignity of its armed forces.
The recording triggered an uproar in parliament and on the streets, where opposition parties and civil groups demanded her resignation.
The court, after receiving a petition from 36 senators, voted 7 to 2 in favor of suspending the Prime Minister while it considers whether her conduct violated the constitutional code of ethics.
Paetongtarn has been given 15 days to formally respond to the allegations. In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has been appointed as acting Prime Minister.
