Thailand PM Suspended Amid Shinawatra Family Legal Crisis

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court pending a ruling on allegations that she violated ethical standards in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, in which she appeared to disparage the Thai military and was accused of undermining national interests. The suspension has intensified an ongoing political crisis, with Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit appointed as caretaker leader during her absence. The controversy has fueled public protests demanding her resignation, and a conservative coalition partner has withdrawn support from her government, leaving it with a slim parliamentary majority. Despite her suspension, Paetongtarn remains in government, having been appointed Minister of Culture, allowing her to attend cabinet meetings. The Shinawatra family faces further legal challenges, as Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, is also set to stand trial on a royal defamation charge, highlighting the deep political divisions between their political faction and Thailand's conservative establishment. These developments threaten to destabilize the current government and exacerbate long-standing tensions in Thai politics.