Thai Constitutional Court Suspends PM Paetongtarn Over Cambodia Phone Call

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid an ethics probe into a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which critics say undermined the military and breached constitutional standards. The court ruled 7-2 to suspend her duties until a final verdict, though she retains her role as culture minister. The call, in which Paetongtarn referred to the Thai army commander as an adversary and addressed Hun Sen as "uncle," sparked protests and political fallout, including the withdrawal of a key coalition partner. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit assumed acting leadership during the suspension. The scandal threatens Paetongtarn's political future and the influence of the Shinawatra family, especially as her father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, faces a lese majeste trial. The situation has added to Thailand's ongoing political turbulence and uncertainty.