Thai Court Suspends PM Shinawatra Over Leaked Call Amid Cambodia Border Row

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on 1 July voted 7–2 to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra while it hears a petition from 36 senators alleging she breached ministerial ethics. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit was named caretaker leader, and Paetongtarn has 15 days to submit her defence.

The case centres on a leaked 15 June telephone conversation with Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen, during which Paetongtarn appeared to criticise a Thai army commander and adopt a conciliatory tone toward Phnom Penh amid a simmering border dispute. The recording intensified nationalist anger already fuelled by a 28 May firefight that left one Cambodian soldier dead and prompted Bangkok to close key land crossings.

Public disquiet erupted on 28 June when an estimated 17,000 people rallied in Bangkok demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation. The suspension deepens the turmoil facing the Shinawatra political dynasty: on the same day, her father and influential ally Thaksin Shinawatra appeared in court on royal-defamation charges.

The court’s inquiry could take months, prolonging uncertainty as the government navigates an economic slowdown and a fragile coalition majority. Paetongtarn has apologised for the leaked call, insisting her intent was to defuse tension and “save the lives of soldiers,” but conservative opponents say the conversation undermined Thailand’s sovereignty and military.