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A group of 36 senators accused Paetongtarn of violating the constitution and ethical codes by allegedly undermining the national interest in the June 15 call. The case was heard by the court and her from the post of Prime Minister until the judgment of the case. She will however stay on in the Cabinet as culture minister after a recent reshuffle.
Controversial Call Sparks Political Fallout
In audio been made public, Paetongtarn called Hun Sen “uncle” and seemed to second-guess her own military’s reaction to recent border clashes that had left a Cambodian soldier dead. She was also caught encouraging Hun Sen not to take advice from a high-profile Thai army commander, and saying she would “take care” of whatever he wanted — comments that critics said undermined the sovereign dignity of the nation.
Both sides have authenticated the call, but the reaction was swift. Anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bangkok, and a key coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai party, withdrew its support, weakening the politically fragile Pheu Thai-led government. Paetongtarn is now on the brink of low approval ratings and the prospect of a vote of no-confidence to be tabled in parliament.
The embattled leader announced in a press conference:
“My thoughts were more than 100 percent sincere — I did it for the country, to protect our sovereignty, to protect our soldiers, and for peace.”
She also apologized to citizens who were troubled by the incident and defended her call as a private diplomatic outreach meant to “de-escalate tensions.”
Political Echoes of Past Turmoil
Paetongtarn’s disqualification echoes that of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted by the same court last year in a ruling finding an ethical violation. The court has also helped redraw the political landscape, most notably by disbanding the popular Move Forward Party and banning its leaders from politics for 10 years — even though the party had garnered more seats than any other in the 2023 election.
The continuing turmoil has highlighted Thailand’s precarious democracy, in which the judiciary and changing political alliances routinely unseat elected governments.
A Government in Turmoil and Regional Rivalry
Paetongtarn's phone call came as the borders of the 817-kilometre frontier line between Thailand and Cambodia have seen escalating friction in a long-fractious area that has been plagued by nationalist enmity. Though she defended the call as a “negotiation tactic,” the optics of too-compliant behavior toward Hun Sen — a much-maligned strongman — have been politically damaging.
Risque is the least of her worries, however, as fresh legal moves and pressure from the street and parliament mean Thailand’s youngest ever prime minister is fighting for her political life.
