Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended After Controversial Call with Hun Sen

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court of Thailand issued a suspension for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has been in office for just a year. The decision follows the leak of a phone call in which she conversed with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen about an ongoing territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. In the conversation, Paetongtarn's deferential tone towards Hun Sen—who has been a dominant figure in Cambodian politics for decades—raised questions about her leadership abilities and prompted demands for her resignation from opposition parties. The Court acted upon a complaint lodged by 36 senators accusing the Prime Minister of ethical violations. Paetongtarn now has a window of 15 days to present her defense, during which the Court will continue its inquiry to determine whether her suspension may lead to a permanent removal from her position. The territorial dispute between the two nations has a complex history, dating back over a century to a map from 1907 delineated during French colonial rule in Cambodia. The border, which spans approximately 820 kilometers, has long been a point of contention, with both countries claiming overlapping territories. Recently, tensions escalated as gunfire exchanges were reported in areas known as the Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. Notably, on May 28, clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. In the leaked 17-minute audio conversation, Paetongtarn, 38, exhibited a notable deference towards Hun Sen, 72, referring to him as 'uncle' and vowing to attend to his needs. In a concerning moment, she undermined the Thai army commander's operations concerning the border, suggesting his efforts were merely aimed at appearing competent and not addressing the issues constructively. Amidst the mounting criticism surrounding her approach to negotiations, Paetongtarn defended her conversation as a negotiation tactic. Nonetheless, public backlash condemned her perceived lack of authority and negotiating credibility in dealing with Cambodia. In the wake of the leaked audio, the Bhumjaithai party, the second-largest faction supporting her government, chose to exit the coalition, further complicating her position. The geopolitical context reveals that it has been years since Cambodia and Thailand have faced such open confrontation over their border disputes, highlighting the fragility of relations and the potential for escalation as the situation unfolds. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2