Thailand's prime minister suspended after phone call with ex-Strongman

Thailand's prime minister suspended after phone call with ex-Strongman

The controversial Thai Prime Minister was suspended on Tuesday and could be due to a Leave conference are removed with the influential former Cambodian leader of his office, while an ethics examination is initiated.

political uncertainty in Thailand

paetongtarn Shinawatra, 38, has only been since in office after she had replaced its predecessor, The . Their suspension brings fresh uncertainty into the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been for years of Political unrest is shaken.

ethics examination and public protests

Thailand's constitutional court took on a petition of 36 senators, the Paetongtarn accused of violating the constitution, since they disregarded ethical standards in the leaked call, which were confirmed as authentic from both sides. The court decided to suspend Paetongtarn from her duties as Prime Minister until the decision in the event of ethics. After a restructuring, however, she will remain in the cabinet as a minister of culture.

The pressure on Paetongtarn to step down grows increasingly. Anti-government protests in the capital Bangkok took place on Saturday after the leaked conversation with Cambodia Hun Sen had triggered massive public outrage over an escalating border conflict.

consequences for the government

The scandal led to the Bhumjaithai party, an important partner in the government coalition, withdrawn from the coalition last week. This was a difficult blow for the ability of her Pheu Thai party to keep power. Paetongtarn is also faced with falling approval values ​​and has to assert itself in a vote of no confidence in parliament.

The leaked conversation

In the leaked call, which took place on June 15, it was heard, as Paetongtarn Hun sen called "Uncle" and apparently criticized the actions of his own army after the border conflicts led to the death of a Cambodian soldier. The Thai Prime Minister told Hun sen that she was under Domestic Druck and asked him not to listen to the "opposing side", which referred to an upgrading Thai army commander in northeastern Thailand. She also explained that if Hun sen "wants something, he can just tell me and I'll take care of it".

Your comments in the leaked audio caused excitement in Thailand, and opponents accused them of compromising the country's national interests. After the judgment, Paetongtarn said that she accepted the court ruling and acted her intention "really in the interests of the country".

relationships between Thailand and Cambodia

Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship between cooperation and rivalry in recent decades. The two countries share an 817 -kilometer -long country border, which was largely mapped by the French during their line -up of Cambodia. In the past, this border has always been the scene of military clashes and political tensions.

reactions and future perspectives

After the scandal, Paetongtarn tried to downplay her comments to Hun sen by explaining in a press conference that she tried to defuse tensions between the two neighbors and the "private" call "should not have been made public". She also emphasized that she was on a "negotiation tactic" and that her comments were "not a statement of loyalty".

paetongtarn became prime minister after the constitutional court decided that its predecessor srettha Thavisin had violated ethical rules and had chosen him as premier minister. The Same also the popular progressive move forward in the country, which resolved the most seats won in the 2023 elections, and their leading members excluded from politics for 10 years.