Thailand Constitutional Court Suspends PM Paetongtarn Amid Border Call Scandal

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended by the Constitutional Court following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which sparked public outrage due to perceived excessive deference and criticism of a Thai military commander. This suspension not only intensifies political instability but also threatens to delay the government's casino-resort legalization efforts, a key policy under Paetongtarn's administration. Despite the setback, the Shinawatra family remains a powerful political force in Thailand, with interim Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit taking over amid a fragile coalition and ongoing border disputes with Cambodia. Paetongtarn, a wealthy figure with declared assets of over $400 million, apologized for the call but refused to resign, leading to mass protests and criticism from conservative and royalist factions. Her suspension highlights the enduring influence of judiciary decisions in Thai politics and raises questions about the future direction of the Pheu Thai party and national policy. Observers note that while Paetongtarn seeks to assert her independence from her family's legacy, this incident has severely dented public trust and complicated Thailand's diplomatic and domestic political landscape.