Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office on Tuesday amid an ongoing ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with senior Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The leaked conversation, which occurred during a May 2, 2025 border dispute, has ignited public outrage and protests in Bangkok. According to the Associated Press, Paetongtarn claimed her intent was to avoid armed confrontation and protect the lives of soldiers, stating, “I wouldn’t be able to accept it if I said something with the other leader that could lead to negative consequences.”
The Constitutional Court in Thailand unanimously voted on a petition accusing Paetongtarn of violating ethics, but the court voted 7-2 to suspend her, with the Associated Press reporting that she has just under two weeks — 12 days — to provide the court with evidence. The suspension comes after a phone call that was allegedly between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, which became a flashpoint after the May 2, 2025 conflict where the two countries engaged in a border dispute that left one Cambodian soldier dead, according to the Associated Press.
Cambodian army spokesperson Mao Phalla stated that the country’s troops were conducting a routine patrol when Thai troops opened fire, the Associated Press reported. However, the Thai army claimed that Cambodian troops had entered a disputed area and that they were responding to gunfire. After the phone call leaked, the streets of Bangkok were filled with protesters calling for Paetongtarn’s ouster. “My true intention in the leaked conversation, my true intention 100%, was to work for the country to maintain our sovereignty and save the lives of all our soldiers,” Paetongtarn reportedly told the press.
Thailand has seen its share of political upheaval in recent years. Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed by the court last year over an ethics violation. The leaked call has further complicated Thailand’s political landscape, potentially affecting its relations with neighbors and domestic stability.