Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from her duties on Tuesday pending the outcome of an ethics investigation linked to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The move raises fresh uncertainty in a country long gripped by political turbulence and frequent leadership changes.
The 38-year-old premier, who assumed office just 10 months ago after the dismissal of her predecessor, now faces possible removal if found to have breached constitutional ethics rules.
The Constitutional Court voted to accept a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of violating ethical standards during a private call that both Thai and Cambodian authorities have confirmed as authentic.
While suspended from her prime ministerial duties, Paetongtarn will remain in Cabinet as culture minister following a reshuffle.
The controversy centers on a conversation dated June 15, in which Paetongtarn reportedly referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared to criticize Thailand’s military response to recent border clashes, one of which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
In the leaked recording, she is heard saying she was under pressure at home and urged Hun Sen not to “listen to the opposite side,” referring to a Thai army commander in the country’s northeast.
“If you want anything, you can just tell me, and I will take care of it,” she reportedly said.
The audio, which quickly spread on social media, sparked national outrage. Critics accused Paetongtarn of compromising Thailand’s sovereignty, and opposition protests erupted in Bangkok over the weekend demanding her resignation.
The fallout has weakened her government’s stability. Last week, the Bhumjaithai Party, a major coalition partner, announced its withdrawal from the ruling bloc, threatening the Pheu Thai Party’s ability to maintain a majority in parliament.
The prime minister also faces plunging approval ratings and an upcoming no-confidence vote.
At a press conference following the court’s decision, Paetongtarn defended her actions, stating her intentions were aimed at preserving peace and protecting Thai soldiers.
“I want to make it clear that my intentions were more than 100% sincere — I acted for the country, to protect our sovereignty, to safeguard the lives of our soldiers, and to preserve peace in our nation,” she said. “I also want to apologize to all my fellow Thais who may feel uneasy or upset about this matter.”
She later attempted to downplay the content of the call, describing it as a “private” exchange meant to ease tensions between the two neighboring nations.
“It shouldn’t have been made public,” she said, adding that her remarks were part of a “negotiation tactic” and “not a statement of allegiance.”
Thailand and Cambodia have a complicated history marked by periods of cooperation and conflict. Their 817-kilometer (508-mile) shared border, mostly drawn during the French colonial era, has frequently been the site of political and military tension.
Paetongtarn came to power in 2024 after the Constitutional Court removed former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for violating ethics rules.
The same court also disbanded the progressive Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 general election, and banned its top leaders from politics for a decade.
The ethics case against Paetongtarn now goes to the heart of growing public frustration over Thailand’s political system, as yet another prime minister faces the possibility of being removed from office.
