Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended Amid Ethics Investigation
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended for 15 days pending an investigation into a leaked phone call with a Cambodian official.
Overview
- Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for 15 days due to a leaked phone call investigation.
- The leaked call involved comments about army commanders and attempts to ease border tensions with Cambodia, sparking public outrage.
- Dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia led to her suspension and protests demanding her resignation.
- Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit is expected to act as prime minister during her suspension, though this has not been officially confirmed.
- The incident has caused a political crisis, with a key coalition party leaving the government and calls for a no-confidence vote in parliament.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as a significant political event, highlighting public outrage and dissatisfaction with her leadership. They emphasize the ethical implications of her actions and the resulting protests, reflecting a critical perspective on her governance and the political turmoil in Thailand.
The outrage was mainly focused on Paetongtarn's comments towards an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived efforts to appease Hun Sen to ease tensions at the border.
Paetongtarn was given 15 days by the court to provide evidence for her case.
Paetongtarn is facing increasing criticism for her management of the recent border conflict with Cambodia, which resulted in an armed confrontation and the death of a Cambodian soldier.
A leaked phone call during diplomatic discussions with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen sparked complaints and public protests.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit is expected to become the acting prime minister pending official confirmation following Paetongtarn's suspension.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a Cabinet reshuffle following a major party's departure from the coalition government due to a leaked phone call.
Thousands of conservative, nationalist-leaning protesters in Bangkok rallied to demand Paetongtarn's resignation.
Paetongtarn is under investigation for an alleged breach of ethics by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which could result in her removal.
Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending an ethics investigation related to a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian leader.
The judges unanimously voted to accept the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics and decided 7-2 to suspend her from duty as prime minister.
Paetongtarn is the third prime minister in her family, following her father Thaksin Shinawatra and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, and is currently the youngest leader and second woman to hold the position in the country.
Paetongtarn will continue as culture minister in the Cabinet after a reshuffle and suspension.
Articles (13)
Center (6)
"…The court's decision comes on the same day as Paetongtarn's father, who was seen as the driving force behind her government, battles his own political troubles."
BBC News·16h·"…The judges voted unanimously Tuesday to take the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her from duty as a prime minister."
NBC News·17h·"…The judges voted unanimously Tuesday to take the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her from duty as a prime minister."
NPR·18h·"…Thailand seems trapped in a depressingly familiar cycle where Shinawatra-led governments come to power, only to face mounting pressure from traditional power centers, street protests, and extraparliamentary interventions that ultimately force them from office."
Associated Press·18h·"…The reshuffle came during speculation over whether the Constitutional Court will take a petition accusing Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of a serious breach of ethics over the leaked call."
ABC News·19h·"…Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the latest border dispute with Cambodia, involving an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed."
Associated Press·20h·FAQ
She was suspended for 15 days pending an ethics investigation into a leaked phone call with Cambodian official Hun Sen, which included comments perceived as damaging to Thailand's interests and image.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit is expected to act as prime minister during her suspension, although this has not been officially confirmed.
The leaked phone call sparked public outrage and dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, leading to protests demanding her resignation, a key coalition party leaving the government, and calls for a no-confidence vote in parliament.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the third prime minister in her family, following her father Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a military coup in 2006, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, ousted by court ruling in 2014. She has acknowledged her family ties but insists she makes her own decisions.
History
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