Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from official duties on Tuesday after the country’s Constitutional Court agreed to hear a case accusing her of breaching ministerial ethics during a recent diplomatic row with Cambodia.
The court announced it had voted 7-2 in favour of suspending Paetongtarn, effective from 1 July, pending a final ruling.
The decision comes in response to a petition filed by a group of conservative senators who alleged the prime minister had failed to uphold the ethical standards required of her office under Thailand’s constitution.
The controversy stems from a leaked audio recording of a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and veteran Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which took place amid heightened tensions between the two nations in May. In the recording, Paetongtarn was heard addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and describing a Thai military commander as her “opponent”.
The call was reportedly made to ease tensions after a deadly cross-border clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.
However, the leaked call triggered strong criticism in Thailand, particularly from conservative lawmakers and the military establishment.
Detractors accused her of showing deference to a foreign leader while undermining the country’s military.
The complaint against her cites constitutional provisions that require ministers to demonstrate "evident integrity" and adhere to "ethical standards".
Opponents argue that Paetongtarn’s language and approach were inappropriate for a head of government during a sensitive national security issue.
The court has not yet set a date for its final ruling. In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chanruangthong is expected to serve as acting prime minister.
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