Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from duty pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former strongman, Hun Sen.
The suspension, handed down by Thailand’s Constitutional Court, brings uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has experienced years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups. Paetongtarn, 38, has held the premiership for only 10 months, replacing her predecessor who was removed from office.
The controversy centers around a phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, which took place on June 15. During the conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared to criticize her own army’s actions following border clashes that led to the death of a Cambodian soldier.
She also urged Hun Sen not to listen to the “opposite side,” referring to an outspoken Thai army commander in Thailand’s northeast, and offered to take care of any issues Hun Sen might have. These comments sparked widespread anger in Thailand, with opponents accusing Paetongtarn of compromising the country’s national interests.
The leaked call triggered protests in Bangkok, with thousands demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation. Despite heavy rain, protesters waved Thai flags, carried placards, and chanted nationalist slogans, expressing outrage over Paetongtarn’s handling of the border dispute and her remarks in the leaked call. The protests led to the Bhumjaithai party, a major partner in Paetongtarn’s government, withdrawing from the coalition, dealing a significant blow to her Pheu Thai party’s ability to hold power.
Following the court’s decision, Paetongtarn accepted the suspension and maintained that her intentions were “more than 100% sincere” and aimed at protecting the country, its sovereignty, and preserving peace. She apologized to fellow Thais who might feel uneasy or upset about the matter. Paetongtarn also attempted to downplay her remarks to Hun Sen, stating she was using a negotiation tactic to diffuse tensions between the two neighbors and that the call shouldn’t have been made public.
The suspension adds to the challenges faced by Paetongtarn, including plummeting approval ratings and a looming no-confidence vote in parliament. The controversy highlights the complexities of Thailand’s political landscape, marked by frequent leadership shake-ups and tensions with neighboring countries. The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has been complicated, with both cooperation and rivalry playing significant roles over the decades.