Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has been suspended following a leaked phone call that has stirred public outrage. The controversy centers on her conversation with former Cambodian leader, Hun Sen, which has led to an ethics investigation. This investigation could potentially lead to her dismissal.
The constitutional court responded to a petition from 36 senators who accused her of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards. The court voted 7 to 2 in favor of suspending her from office.
In the leaked call, Shinawatra attempted to ease tensions with Hun Sen while criticizing a Thai army commander. This move is particularly sensitive in Thailand, where the military holds significant power. The backdrop of the call includes rising tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border, which recently escalated to violence resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
The fallout from the call has sparked protests in Thailand, with thousands of conservative and nationalist demonstrators gathering in Bangkok to demand her resignation. Her party is now struggling to maintain power, especially after another coalition partner withdrew from their alliance over the incident. There are increasing calls for a no-confidence vote against her.
While the court investigates, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as acting Prime Minister. Shinawatra, who is 38 years old and the youngest leader in Thailand’s history, has 15 days to respond to the ethics probe. She has apologized for her comments, claiming they were part of a negotiation strategy.
Public support for her government has sharply declined, with recent polls showing an approval rating plummeting to 9.2%, down from 30.9% in March. Shinawatra comes from a prominent political family in Thailand. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, both served as Prime Ministers in the past, but their tenures also ended amid corruption allegations and military coups.