Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following widespread public backlash over a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, in which she referred to him as “uncle” and criticized a high-ranking Thai military commander.
The court, in a 7-2 ruling, announced the suspension while it considers a petition calling for her ouster from office. Paetongtarn now has 15 days to submit a formal defense against the allegations.
Mounting Pressure and Political Fallout
The leaked audio clip has triggered public outrage and led to a petition for her removal. Critics argue that her casual tone and apparent coziness with a foreign leader could undermine Thailand’s national security and military integrity.
This incident puts her at risk of becoming the third member of the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty to be removed from power before completing a full term.
Paetongtarn’s coalition government, led by the Pheu Thai Party, is already in a fragile state after losing a key conservative ally just two weeks ago, weakening its parliamentary majority.
Deputy PM Steps In
In her absence, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit will serve as Thailand’s acting prime minister, pending the court’s final decision.
If Paetongtarn is formally dismissed, she will become the second Pheu Thai PM to be removed from office in less than a year, following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin in August 2024.
A Tumultuous Legacy Continues
At just 38 years old, Paetongtarn is Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister and only the second woman to lead the country, after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, who was also ousted before completing her term.
The Shinawatra family — once praised for their populist policies — has faced a turbulent political history marked by exile, coups, and legal battles, reflecting Thailand’s complex civil-military tensions.