Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending an ethics investigation, intensifying a political crisis sparked by a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The decision follows public outrage and protests over Paetongtarn’s handling of a simmering border dispute with Cambodia, which escalated after an armed clash on May 28 resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
The leaked 17-minute recording, reportedly shared by Hun Sen with 80 politicians before being posted on his Facebook page, revealed Paetongtarn referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticizing a Thai military commander, calling him her “opponent” who “just wanted to look cool.” These remarks, perceived as undermining Thailand’s military and national interests, have fueled accusations of ethical violations and prompted calls for her resignation.
The Constitutional Court unanimously accepted a petition from 36 senators, who alleged that Paetongtarn breached ethical standards and potentially interfered in military affairs, violating Thailand’s constitution. By a 7-2 vote, the court suspended her from duty while it deliberates whether to permanently remove her from office. If removed, the Pheu Thai party will need to nominate a deputy prime minister to act in her place.
The border dispute, centered on a contested area in the Emerald Triangle where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet, has strained relations to their lowest point in over a decade. Following the May 28 skirmish, both nations escalated tensions with troop mobilizations, Cambodia’s suspension of fuel and gas imports from Thailand, and Thailand’s partial closure of border checkpoints. Paetongtarn’s call with Hun Sen was intended to de-escalate the situation, but her conciliatory tone and familial references to the former Cambodian leader drew sharp criticism from Thai nationalists.
Paetongtarn, 38, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been under scrutiny since taking office in 2024. Critics view her as a puppet of her father, a polarizing figure ousted in a 2006 military coup. The Shinawatra family’s long-standing ties with Hun Sen, described as “godbrothers,” have further fueled perceptions that Paetongtarn prioritized personal relationships over national interests.
The prime minister apologized for her remarks, explaining that her “sympathetic remarks and softer tone” were a negotiation tactic and that the call was made from her personal phone without knowledge of it being recorded. She has vowed to support Thailand’s military and pursue peaceful resolutions, including discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron to facilitate cooperation with Cambodia. However, her coalition government faces additional strain after the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew support, leaving her with a slim parliamentary majority.
As Thailand braces for further political uncertainty, the Constitutional Court’s ruling on July 1 could mark a turning point. A potential no-confidence vote and ongoing protests add to the challenges facing Paetongtarn’s administration, which is already grappling with a faltering economy and regional tensions.
