By Ayomide Otitoju
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office amid an ethics investigation into a leaked diplomatic phone call with Cambodia. The decision, announced on Tuesday, marks another political setback for the Shinawatra family as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father, appeared in court the same day to face royal defamation charges.
The Constitutional Court ruled 7-2 to suspend Paetongtarn effective July 1, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that she violated ministerial ethics by referring to a senior military commander as an “opponent” during a controversial call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The call, which was leaked, sparked widespread criticism and political fallout, including the exit of a conservative party from the ruling coalition and nationwide protests.
Paetongtarn, who assumed office less than a year ago, apologized to the Thai public, saying: “It’s always been my intention to do the best thing for my country. I apologise to Thai people who are frustrated about this.”
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit of the ruling Pheu Thai Party is expected to assume leadership duties during the investigation.
The diplomatic controversy comes amid heightened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia following deadly border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead. Paetongtarn’s informal tone during the phone call—referring to Hun Sen as “uncle”—was perceived by critics as overly deferential and damaging to national security interests.
Opposition parties, including the People’s Party (formerly Move Forward), have called for new elections. “She’s lost her moral authority,” said Rangsiman Rome, deputy leader of the opposition. “Dissolving parliament is the solution.”
Meanwhile, Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 military coup and long a central figure in Thailand’s political divisions, appeared in a Bangkok court on Tuesday to face charges under the kingdom’s strict lèse-majesté laws, stemming from a 2015 interview with South Korean media. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
A court official confirmed that proceedings have begun, though the media was barred from the courtroom. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontri, told reporters, “I can’t speak on his behalf about how he feels, but I think he seems chill.”
The twin legal challenges facing Paetongtarn and Thaksin raise fresh questions about the political future of the Shinawatra dynasty, which has seen multiple family members removed from office via coups or court rulings.
