Thai prime minister suspended over leaked sensitive phone call

On Tuesday, the court voted 7–2 in favor of suspending Shinawatra from office. The suspension will remain in effect while the court investigates the leaked conversation with Hun Sen.

The court reviewed a petition signed by 36 senators accusing Shinawatra of dishonesty and violating constitutional ethical standards by disclosing the content of the private call.

According to the court’s ruling, the Deputy Prime Minister will temporarily assume leadership responsibilities until a final decision is made regarding Shinawatra’s case.

Shinawatra has 15 days to respond to the charges. In the meantime, following a cabinet reshuffle, she will remain in the government as the new Minister of Culture.

The Prime Minister has faced growing public dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, which escalated into an armed clash on May 28, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The leaked phone call triggered widespread domestic outrage and destabilized Shinawatra’s ruling coalition, prompting a key party to withdraw from the alliance.

Following the release of the controversial audio — in which former Cambodian PM Hun Sen criticizes the Thai military — thousands took to the streets of Bangkok demanding Shinawatra’s resignation. The crisis has raised fears of a potential return of the military to the political arena.