Thailand’s Court Weighs Fate of Suspended PM

TDT | Manama

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Thailand’s Constitutional Court met on Friday to decide whether suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will be removed from office over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia.

Paetongtarn, daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended last month after critics accused her of failing to defend Thailand during a phone call with Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen in June. The call, later leaked online, drew strong backlash after she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and described a Thai military commander as her “opponent.”

Conservative lawmakers said her remarks undermined Thailand’s military and sovereignty. Her main coalition partner walked out in protest, nearly collapsing her government. Senators then petitioned the Constitutional Court, saying she violated constitutional standards of integrity and ethics.

The nine judges began deliberations on Friday morning, with a ruling expected later in the day.

Paetongtarn, 39, has denied wrongdoing, saying she acted in Thailand’s best interests. Her aide Jiraporn Sindhuprai told reporters she remained “in good spirits” before the verdict.

The controversy has fueled political uncertainty. If the court removes her, Thailand could face a leadership vacuum similar to last year, when her predecessor was also ousted.

The dispute has also strained Thai-Cambodian relations. In July, border tensions escalated into the worst clashes in decades, leaving more than 40 people dead and forcing 300,000 people from their homes.

Meanwhile, Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin, 76, was recently cleared of royal insult charges that could have seen him jailed for up to 15 years.