Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal

On Tuesday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court temporarily suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her role while a case for her removal is considered, increasing the strain on a government grappling with survival amid various challenges.

The court addressed the petition from 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of deceit and violating ethical standards as per the constitution due to the release of a politically sensitive phone call with Cambodia’s powerful ex-leader Hun Sen.

“The court has considered the petition …. and unanimously accepts the case for consideration,” it said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over in a caretaker capacity while the court decides the case against Paetongtarn, who has 15 days to respond and will remain in the cabinet as the new culture minister following a reshuffle.

“Government work doesn’t stop, there is no problem,” Tourism Minister and Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong told Reuters. “Suriya will become caretaker prime minister.”

The leaked conversation involving the veteran Cambodian politician sparked domestic anger and has resulted in Paetongtarn’s coalition holding a very slim majority, as a major party has deserted the alliance and is anticipated to soon call for a no-confidence vote in parliament, while protest groups insist on the premier’s resignation. During a June 15 call meant to ease rising border tensions with Cambodia, Paetongtarn, 38, submitted to Hun Sen and condemned a Thai army commander, crossing a line in a nation where the military wields considerable power. She has expressed regret and stated that her comments were a strategy for negotiation.

Paetongtarn’s struggles just 10 months into her tenure highlight the weakening influence of the Pheu Thai Party, the populist force of the billionaire Shinawatra family that has been a dominant presence in Thai elections since 2001, surviving military coups and judicial decisions that have led to the fall of various administrations and leaders.

Political newcomer Paetongtarn faced a challenging initiation, assuming the role of Thailand’s youngest prime minister as a successor to Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court for unethical conduct due to the appointment of a previously imprisoned minister. Paetongtarn’s administration has been facing challenges in revitalizing a faltering economy, and her popularity has significantly decreased, as a June 19-25 opinion survey published over the weekend revealed her approval rating dropping to 9.2% from 30.9% in March.

Paetongtarn is not isolated in her struggles, as her prominent father Thaksin Shinawatra, the key supporter of her administration, is encountering legal challenges of his own in two separate courts this month.