Thai court suspends PM over leaked call with Cambodian politician

The Constitutional Court of Thailand has suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties as prime minister pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian official.

Meeting on Tuesday, the court unanimously agreed to consider Paetongtarn's impeachment over the controversial audio clip of a recent conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.

Last month, a petition from 36 senators was handed to the Constitutional Court seeking Paetongtarn's removal from office due to the content of her conversation with Hun Sen, in which she refers to a Thai army commander as an "opponent". The senators stated that this remark showed a lack of responsibility and integrity.

The petition requested a ruling under Section 170, paragraph three, combined with Section 82 of the Thai Constitution. The petition described the contents of the clip as devastating to Thai sovereignty, the military and people. It also asked the Constitutional Court to suspend Paetongtarn from her duties as PM until the Constitutional Court issues a ruling, in accordance with the Charter.

In a statement released Tuesday, the court said it had accepted the petition and announced an order on Paetongtarn's suspension from official duties effective immediately, pending a final ruling.

Also on Tuesday, the Thai cabinet approved the secretariat's proposal to instruct the country's deputy prime ministers to act on behalf of Paetongtarn while she is unable to perform her duties.

Since Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is still awaiting royal endorsement of his new position of interior minister, which he is due to receive on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit will serve as acting prime minister.

Suriya would possess full authority equivalent to the prime minister and be able to issue orders regarding appointments and budgets. He will also lead the new cabinet in Thursday's oath-taking ceremony, according to Thai media.