Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office as of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, pending an ethics investigation into her conduct during a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s influential former leader Hun Sen. The court accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution, specifically related to remarks made during the June 15 call, which was intended to ease escalating border tensions but included criticism of a Thai military commander—a sensitive issue in a country with strong military influence.
The court voted 7-2 to suspend her from her prime ministerial duties while the investigation proceeds. Paetongtarn has 15 days to present her defense. During her suspension, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is expected to serve as acting prime minister. Following a cabinet reshuffle, Paetongtarn will remain in government as the new culture minister.
The fallout from the leaked conversation has triggered public outrage, mass protests, and the withdrawal of a key coalition partner, leaving her government with a razor-thin majority and facing an imminent no-confidence vote in parliament. Paetongtarn’s approval rating has plummeted, and she faces mounting calls for her resignation. This suspension marks another episode in Thailand’s ongoing political turbulence, with legal and parliamentary battles continuing to shape the country’s leadership.
