Thailand Prime Minister Suspended by Constitutional Court Amid Border Dispute Probe

Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending an ethics investigation related to a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which worsened tensions amid a deadly border dispute. The court voted 7 to 2 to suspend her, giving her 15 days to present a defense, while Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit is expected to serve as acting prime minister during the probe. The leaked call, in which Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and disparaged a Thai military commander, triggered public protests and led to the departure of a key coalition partner, destabilizing her government. King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved a cabinet reshuffle following the coalition's collapse, with Paetongtarn assigning herself the culture minister role, though it's unclear if she can assume this post while under investigation. This political turmoil reflects the ongoing power struggle in Thailand between the pro-military, royalist elite and the Shinawatra family, with Paetongtarn's suspension marking the second such action against a prime minister within a year. Despite the controversy, Paetongtarn apologized and vowed to cooperate with the legal process, emphasizing her intent to protect the country and maintain peace.