Thai prime minister suspended after leaked phone call

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office during an ethics investigation. The judges unanimously accepted a Senate petition against her, then voted 7-2 to suspend her over allegations related to a leaked audio clip, according to Thai news outlet The Nation.

The Senate asked for Paetongtarn’s removal on charges of sedition affecting Thailand’s sovereignty, based on her leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. During a conversation about an armed border dispute, Paetongtarn allegedly referred to a Thai army commander as an opponent while calling the Cambodian senator “uncle,” according to The Nation.

The leaked conversation sparked protests and calls for her resignation. Thousands of protesters rallied in Thailand’s capital of Bangkok on Saturday, demanding her removal, according to the Associated Press. The Constitutional Court removed her predecessor last year over an ethics breach, the outlet reported.

How did Paetongtarn respond to the accusations and suspension? She apologized for the call and said she was trying to appease the Cambodian leader to prevent further armed conflict after a May 28 clash on the border. She said she would abide by the court process, according to the Associated Press.

What’s next for Paetongtarn? The court gave the suspended prime minister 15 days to present evidence that she should be reinstated. She appeared to continue holding her other position as culture minister, which she received in a cabinet reshuffle earlier on Tuesday, according to The Nation.

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