Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office following a unanimous decision by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, July 1, to investigate alleged ethical violations tied to a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The 38-year-old leader, who has held office for just 10 months, now faces possible dismissal and a deepening political crisis. The court acted on a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of compromising national interests during the controversial June 15 call. While suspended as prime minister, she will continue to serve as culture minister after a recent cabinet reshuffle.
The leaked audio — confirmed as authentic by both sides — revealed Paetongtarn addressing Hun Sen as “uncle,” and seemingly criticizing her own military following a border skirmish that left a Cambodian soldier dead. In the recording, she is also heard saying, “If you want anything, you can just tell me, and I will take care of it.”
The fallout was swift. Protests erupted in Bangkok over the weekend, and the Bhumjaithai Party, a major coalition partner, withdrew its support, weakening her Pheu Thai party’s hold on government. A no-confidence vote now looms as her approval ratings continue to fall.
Defending herself before the media, Paetongtarn maintained that her actions were aimed at preserving peace and saving lives. “My intentions were more than 100% sincere — to safeguard our sovereignty, protect our soldiers’ lives, and preserve peace,” she said, while apologizing to citizens unsettled by the incident.
She added that the call was a diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions and not a sign of disloyalty. “It was a private conversation that should never have been made public,” she said.
Thailand and Cambodia share a long, often tense 508-mile border that has seen repeated disputes and military confrontations over the years. The call reignited long-standing national security concerns.
Paetongtarn’s suspension marks another chapter in Thailand’s turbulent political landscape. She assumed office after the Constitutional Court ousted her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethical violations. The same court also disbanded the Move Forward Party, which had won the most seats in the 2023 elections, banning its leaders from politics for a decade.
As the Constitutional Court deliberates her fate, Thailand braces for yet another leadership vacuum amid growing political unrest.
