UPDATE: Thai prime minister suspended by court over leaked audio – Cambodia regards this as Thai internal issue
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been temporarily suspended from her duties following a decision by Thailand’s Constitutional Court to accept a petition submitted by a group of senators, according to a report by Prachatai English. The court’s ruling comes in the wake of a leaked audio recording allegedly featuring a private conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
In the court session held on Tuesday, July 1, seven out of nine judges voted in favour of suspending the prime minister while the case is under investigation. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has been appointed as Acting Prime Minister in the interim.
The petition against Paetongtarn alleges that she has breached ministerial ethics. Her suspension also coincides with rising tensions over an unresolved border issue with Cambodia, which has led to temporary closures of certain border crossings and disruptions in the movement of people and goods. When questioned recently about the matter, Paetongtarn admitted feeling anxious, saying, “If you are asking if I am worried, I am.”
From the Cambodian side, the government has responded cautiously. Speaking to Kiripost, government spokesperson Pen Bona emphasised that the issue is an internal Thai affair. “This is not a matter involving Cambodia,” he said. “Cambodia respects the internal political processes of its neighbour.”
When asked whether the leadership change in Thailand could affect ongoing bilateral discussions, including those on border demarcation and trade, Pen Bona reaffirmed Cambodia’s stance on continuity and cooperation.
“Cambodia will continue to engage with Thailand regardless of political changes. We remain committed to maintaining constructive relations and resolving shared challenges through dialogue,” he added.
Thailand's Constitutional Court rules to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
The Constitutional Court of Thailand has ruled 7-2 to suspend Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties as Prime Minister according to sources in the region.
The court has agreed to consider her impeachment over a recent highly controversial audio clip of a phone call that emerged as part of a territorial spat with neighbouring Cambodia.
In the recording, Paetongtarn is understood to have referred to Hun Sen - Cambodia’s former leader - in familial terms whilst also criticising a senior Thai military figure. The incident triggered widespread public backlash and eventually prompted a formal petition seeking her removal. That request is now under court review local sources including The Nation report.
The suspension sidelines Paetongtarn temporarily as she is given 15 days to respond to the allegations against her. In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya and Minister of Transport, Jungrungruangkit has stepped in as acting prime minister.
Paetongtarn is now the third member of the influential Shinawatra political dynasty to be pushed out of office before completing a full term. The family has shaped Thai politics for more than 20 years but has repeatedly faced challenges from more conservative and military-aligned factions.
Her fragile ruling coalition, which only holds a narrow majority, has been further weakened by the recent withdrawal of a major right-wing partner.
Should the court opt to remove her, Paetongtarn would become the second prime minister from the Pheu Thai party to be ousted in under a year. Her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, lost his position in August 2024 after he controversially appointed a cabinet minister who had previously served a prison sentence the BBC reports.
Paetongtarn, herself the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took office shortly afterwards. At 38, she is the youngest person to lead Thailand and to date only the second woman to do so, following her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra - who was also removed from office.
The current scandal adds to the headwinds facing Paetongtarn’s government as it struggles to boost a flagging economy. Public confidence in her leadership has dropped sharply, with approval ratings falling to just over 9% in recent days, compared with 31% as recently as March.
Paetongtarn has issued an apology for the remarks made in the leaked call, describing them as part of a diplomatic approach to ease tensions over recent border disputes. However, critics in Parliament, particularly among conservative MPs, accuse her of yielding to Cambodia and compromising national security.
No comments:
Post a Comment