BANGKOK – Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a controversy involving a leaked phone conversation with a former Cambodian prime minister.
The international media reported that the court took the action after 36 Thai senators filed a petition accusing the prime minister of dishonesty and violating the constitution. The court held that she would remain suspended until a final verdict is reached on the matter.
The suspension stems from a phone call that was leaked last month shortly after a border clash between Thai and Cambodian forces.
In the call, Prime Minister Paetongtarn was allegedly heard criticizing a senior Thai military officer while speaking with the former Cambodian leader.
The leaked audio triggered a political storm which led to widespread criticism and growing calls for her resignation.
Last year in August, Paetongtarn Shinawatra was made history by becoming Thailand’s second female and youngest-ever prime minister.
The 37-year-old political leader secured a decisive victory in parliament after winning 247 out of 493 votes and comfortably surpassed the required majority.
Paetongtarn is the third member of the influential Shinawatra family to rise to the office of prime minister, following in the footsteps of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.
Her victory came after Thailand’s constitutional court removed previous Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office.
Thavisin’s ousting was triggered by his controversial decision to appoint a convicted criminal as a minister in his cabinet which led to a leadership crisis.
On Thursday, the Pheu Thai Party officially nominated Paetongtarn as their candidate for the premiership, and her win in the parliamentary vote was widely expected.
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