Thai court removes prime minister due to questionable phone conversation with Cambodian leader
In a shocking turn of events, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed by the Constitutional Court on Friday, ending her short-lived tenure as the nation's youngest leader. The court's ruling was based on an ethical breach revealed in a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen.
The phone call, which took place on June 15, 2023, was reportedly made amid escalating border tensions between the two countries. The conversation, now public, raised concerns among many Thais due to Paetongtarn's friendly tone and her referring to a Thai general as an "opponent."
The court found that Paetongtarn had broken ethical guidelines by speaking with a senior Cambodian official over the phone. The leaked phone call may have contributed to the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister.
Paetongtarn, however, maintains her innocence, stating after the court's ruling that she acted with the sole purpose of saving lives. The court concluded that while her actions did not appear to be dishonest, they constituted a breach of ethical standards.
It is important to note that this is not the first time the Shinawatra family, including Thaksin Shinawatra, the business owner and former prime minister of Thailand, has faced allegations of putting personal interests over Thailand's national interests. Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted from power by a military coup, remained a dominant force in Thai politics until his daughter's dismissal as prime minister.
Hun Sen, the former prime minister of Cambodia, was in power for 38 years until his son Hun Manet took over in 2023. Thaksin Shinawatra had a warm friendship with Hun Sen, which may have influenced the phone call.
The combat between the two countries resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and displacement of over 260,000 in late June. The decision to dismiss Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister comes at a critical time, as both countries work towards resolving their border disputes.
This development in Thai politics marks a significant shift, and it is yet to be seen who will take on the role of prime minister next. The leaked phone call has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Thailand.
