Thai Court Suspends PM From Duty Pending Leaked Call Case Deliberation

BANGKOK, July 1 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending deliberation of a case involving her controversial leaked phone call with Cambodia’s leader, Hun Sen.

In a statement, the court said it had accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution.

The Constitutional Court judges unanimously agreed to accept the petition and voted 7–2 to suspend Paetongtarn from performing her duties.

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"The court unanimously resolved to accept the petition for consideration, notify the petitioner and allow the respondent to submit a defence within 15 days of receiving a copy of the petition," the court said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit will assume the role of acting prime minister while the court decides the case against Paetongtarn.

During a 15 June phone call with veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen, Paetongtarn reportedly discussed an ongoing border dispute. She allegedly blamed miscommunication by her own military and referred to a prominent Thai military commander at the border as "the opposite side."

The leaked phone call was confirmed as authentic by both Hun Sen and Paetongtarn. Paetongtarn was heard addressing the Cambodian leader as "uncle" during the conversation.

Earlier Tuesday, Paetongtarn reshuffled her Cabinet following the departure of a key coalition partner and vacancies in ministerial portfolios.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed the Cabinet reshuffle, with the new line-up set to take an oath of office on July 3.

In the new Cabinet line-up published in the Royal Gazette, there are 14 new appointments, while six ministers have been reassigned to new portfolios.

-- BERNAMA