Thailand’s Top Court Has Removed The Prime Minister Over Her Leaked Call With Cambodia’s Ex-Leader
The ruling on Friday, Aug. 29, makes Paetongtarn the fifth Thai prime minister to be removed by the court since 2008.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has officially removed prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, nearly two months after she was suspended over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen.
The ruling on Friday, Aug. 29, makes her the fifth Thai prime minister to be removed by the court since 2008, and the third in her own family, following her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck.
In the leaked call, which took place on June 16 as border tensions with Cambodia escalated, Paetongtarn was heard calling Hun Sen “uncle” and telling him not to listen to "the other side" in Thailand, referring to a prominent Thai military commander who she said “just wants to look good.”
Her submissive tone and criticism of the military commander was seen as deeply embarrassing for the Thai government, especially considering the military plays a powerful role in politics in Thailand.
The scandal triggered widespread outrage, street protests and calls for her resignation.
On July 1, the court suspended Paetongtarn while investigating the case.
Paetongtarn had defended the call as “a personal negotiation to resolve the country’s problem and bring back peace without using violence.”
But the court said her actions “caused the public to doubt whether she would benefit Cambodia more than benefitting the nation’s interest.”
With her removal, the country has been plunged into yet another political crisis.
The first deputy prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has stepped in as acting leader before a new vote is held.
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
