Thai Court Suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Over Leaked Phone Call

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, escalating a political crisis triggered by a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat reported for Nikkei Asia.

In the recording, Shinawatra referred to a Thai army commander as an “opponent. ”I Photo: Ing Shinawatra Facebook

The court accepted a petition filed in June by 36 senators calling for Paetongtarn’s removal.

In the recording, she referred to a Thai army commander as an “opponent”—a comment the senators said demonstrated a lack of responsibility, compromised national integrity, and endangered Thailand’s sovereignty.

The controversy revives long-standing tensions surrounding the Shinawatra political dynasty.

Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted in a military coup in 2006, while her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, was removed by the Constitutional Court on May 7, 2024.

The military, which holds significant sway in Thai politics and remains closely aligned with the monarchy, is widely suspected of backing the current wave of protests calling for Paetongtarn to step down.