In the leaked audio call, Paetongtarn was heard referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared to criticize her own army’s actions following recent border clashes that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier
Admin I Tuesday, July 02, 2025
THAILAND – The Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended.
He was suspended for 15 days in the first instance by the very powerful Constitutional Court, following a petition from a group of senators alleging that she violated ethical standards related to a leaked phone call.
At the heart of the matter is a telephone conversation that took place on June 15, 2025, between then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Cambodian Senate President and former powerful leader.
In the leaked audio call, Paetongtarn was heard referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared to criticize her own army’s actions following recent border clashes that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
She also reportedly urged Hun Sen not to listen to the “opposite side,” a reference believed to be an outspoken Thai army commander in Thailand’s northeast.
A group of 36 senators filed a petition with the Constitutional Court, accusing Paetongtarn of breaching the constitution by seriously violating ethical standards through this conversation.
The court unanimously voted to accept the petition and, to prevent “serious and irreparable damage,” ordered her suspension from prime ministerial duties pending a final ruling.
While suspended from the premiership, Paetongtarn will remain in the cabinet as Culture Minister, a role she had recently assumed in a cabinet reshuffle. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will assume the role of acting prime minister.
This incident has amplified existing political tensions in Thailand. Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had only been in office since August 2024, becoming Thailand’s youngest and second female prime minister. Her premiership followed the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, also due to a court order related to an ethics violation.
The suspension of Paetongtarn not only casts a shadow over her less-than-one-year-old government but also highlights a recurring pattern of political instability in Thailand. The Shinawatra family dynasty has a history of facing challenges from the conservative establishment, including the military and judiciary, with both her father, Thaksin, and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, being removed from power in previous years.
The current situation has led to calls for Paetongtarn’s resignation and has seen protests in Bangkok. The leaked phone call not only fueled accusations of ethical breaches but also prompted a key party, Bhumjaithai, to withdraw from the ruling coalition, further weakening her Pheu Thai party’s hold on power.
The Constitutional Court’s final verdict on Paetongtarn’s case will be crucial for the future of Thai politics. Regardless of the outcome, her suspension underscores the fragility of Thailand’s democratic institutions and the persistent challenges faced by governments in a nation frequently rocked by political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.
The saga continues, leaving many to wonder if this latest chapter will indeed be another instance of the “recurring cycle of political instability” that has defined Thai politics for years
