Bangkok (TDI): Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office by the Constitutional Court, which has launched an inquiry into her alleged misconduct during a recent diplomatic row with Cambodia.
The 38-year-old leader, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had been in power for less than a year when the court announced its decision on Tuesday. The move came just hours before her father appeared in court to face charges of royal defamation.
Thailand’s political landscape has long been shaped by the deep rift between the powerful conservative establishment, aligned with the military and monarchy, and the Shinawatra family, viewed by their opponents as a disruptive political force.
The current controversy stems from a leaked phone call in which Paetongtarn reportedly referred to Cambodian former Prime Minister Hun Sen as “uncle,” while labeling a Thai military commander as her “opponent.”
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The call was made amid rising tensions over a border dispute that flared into deadly violence in May, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Critics argue her remarks signaled deference to Cambodia and undermined the Thai military. Conservative lawmakers claim the exchange violated constitutional standards requiring government ministers to uphold integrity and ethical conduct.
“The Constitutional Court, by a vote of 7 to 2, has decided to suspend the respondent from the position of Prime Minister effective July 1, pending a final ruling,” the court said in an official statement.
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The fallout has already begun. Paetongtarn’s ruling Pheu Thai party lost support from a key conservative coalition partner, and weekend protests in Bangkok drew thousands of demonstrators calling for her resignation.
Despite the scandal, Thailand’s monarch approved a cabinet reshuffle proposed by Paetongtarn earlier in the day. She had appointed herself as Culture Minister, with the role set to begin Thursday. However, it remains uncertain whether she can assume the post while under investigation.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
