Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has been under increasing demand to step down due to her leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, has been suspended by Thailand’s Constitutional Court.
Public outrage and a petition for her removal were triggered by the video, which shows Paetongtarn calling him “uncle” and disparaging a Thai military commander. The court is currently deliberating on this case.
Paetongtarn may become the third member of the influential Shinawatra dynasty, which has controlled Thai politics for the last 20 years, to leave office before serving out their tenure. A significant conservative supporter left her ruling coalition two weeks ago, leaving it already precariously close to a narrow majority.
The deputy prime minister will operate as the nation’s interim leader. However, Paetongtarn will continue to serve as culture minister, a new position that was approved just hours before she was dismissed as part of a cabinet reshuffle.
Paetongtarn apologised once more on Tuesday, stating that she had called Hun Sen for “more than 100%… for the country” reasons. The discussion concerned the long-standing border conflict between the two nations, which has resurfaced after the death of a Cambodian soldier in late May.
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