Court suspends Thailand’s PM pending case over leaked phone call

In a stunning turn of events, Thailand’s Prime Minister Peton Tan Shinawat has been temporarily suspended by the Constitutional Court amid a growing scandal over a leaked phone call. The court’s ruling, announced on Tuesday, follows allegations of unethical conduct, with senators accusing the Prime Minister of misrepresenting Thailand during a conversation with Cambodia’s Senate President.

Emerging from the court, Shinawat, flanked by her cabinet, accepted the ruling with a somber acknowledgment. “I respectfully accept the court’s decision and from this moment, I will cease performing my duties,” she stated, highlighting an uncertain future as the court has granted a 15-day period for clarification on the allegations.

Pressure has been mounting on Shinawat, with thousands taking to the streets just last weekend, demanding her resignation. Protesters accuse her of mishandling a recent border dispute with Cambodia and failing to revive Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. The political landscape is further complicated by the ongoing trial of her father, former Prime Minister Taxan Shinawat, who faces charges of lèse-majesté.

While the military is not expected to intervene directly, the political climate is fraught with instability as legal battles loom ahead. The Constitutional Court’s intervention raises serious concerns about the future of democracy in Thailand, as it has now disqualified the party that won the last election and removed both of the previous Prime Ministers.

This temporary suspension marks a critical juncture for Shinawat, as the nation watches closely to see how this political drama unfolds. With legal proceedings ahead and public discontent simmering, the situation in Thailand remains volatile and unpredictable.