Thai Prime Minister Suspended Amid Controversial Leaked Call

Amid public backlash and dwindling approval ratings, Thailand's PM faces possible dismissal over criticisms made during a private phone call.

Thailand's political landscape is facing upheaval as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court for her controversial remarks during a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The revelation of this call, in which she referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and expressed discontent about a Thai military commander, has ignited public outrage and prompted calls for her removal.

The court will deliberate on the petition for Paetongtarn's dismissal, and during this time, she has 15 days to mount her defense. This situation marks a significant moment in the Shinawatra family's political saga, potentially making her the third member of this influential clan to be ousted from power before finishing a term. Following a recent departure of a crucial conservative ally from her ruling coalition, Paetongtarn's position already appears precarious.

As the court voted 7-2 in favor of her suspension, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit has stepped in as acting leader. If Paetongtarn is dismissed, she will follow Srettha Thavisin, her predecessor from the Pheu Thai party, who was removed from office in August for appointing a controversial cabinet member. The 38-year-old politician made history as Thailand's youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the office, after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.

The crisis comes at a time when Paetongtarn's government is already struggling with economic challenges, as reflected by her approval ratings, which have plummeted from 30.9% in March to a mere 9.2% last weekend. She has attempted to defend her statements from the leaked call as mere "negotiation techniques" concerning ongoing border issues, yet conservative factions in Thailand have criticized her approach, arguing it undermines the military’s authority and national interests.

Compounding the turmoil, Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a controversial figure and former prime minister himself, is currently facing legal troubles of his own, specifically accusations under the country's stringent lese majeste laws. Thaksin's trial commenced on the same day as his daughter's suspension, marking a turbulent chapter for the Shinawatra dynasty, which has long shaped Thai politics. Thaksin's return from a 15-year exile was part of a grand political compromise, but his renewed legal challenges will add further complexity to an already fraught scenario.