Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from duty following the leak of a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled today, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, announced that a pending investigation will be launched into allegations of ethical breaches linked to her remarks during the call.
The leaked phone call, which surfaced last week, has become a trigger in the ongoing political crisis.
In the conversation, Paetongtarn appeared to discuss the delicate situation along Thailand’s border with Cambodia, which had escalated into an armed clash in May.
During the call, Paetongtarn was heard making remarks that critics believe undermined Thailand’s national interests, including efforts to appease Hun Sen, who now serves as Cambodia’s Senate president.
Earlier reports indicated that Paetongtarn reportedly sought to downplay the severity of the border dispute, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, and seemed to favour a conciliatory approach to Cambodia’s leadership.
The controversy surrounding the call has triggered a series of legal and political repercussions including a petition filed by 36 senators accused Paetongtarn of breaching ethical standards and violating the constitution.
Seven of the nine judges on Thailand’s Constitutional Court supported the decision to suspend her while the investigation proceeds.
Paetongtarn has been given 15 days to respond to the allegations, leaving the future of her leadership in question.
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will step into the role of caretaker, overseeing government operations.
However, allies of Paetongtarn, including Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, assured the public that “government work doesn’t stop.”
The incident comes at a time when the 38-year-old is already facing growing discontent over her management of the Cambodia border issue.
Tensions have been mounting over the handling of the conflict, which left one Cambodian soldier dead in May, and many have criticized Paetongtarn for not acting in accordance.
