Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended following the leak of a phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which sparked public outrage. The Constitutional Court's decision marks another significant political upheaval in Thailand's turbulent political landscape.

BANGKOK - Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid growing pressure to resign following the leak of a phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

The leaked clip, where Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander, led to public outrage and a petition for her removal, which the court is now reviewing.

This suspension could see Paetongtarn become the third politician from the influential Shinawatra family to lose office before their term's conclusion, highlighting the political volatility that has characterized Thailand for two decades.

Her government is already precarious, holding a slim majority after losing a key conservative partner two weeks ago.

The Constitutional Court's decision to suspend her was made with a 7-2 vote, and she has been given 15 days to prepare her defense. During this time, the deputy prime minister will assume the role of acting leader. Despite her suspension, Paetongtarn will continue as culture minister following a recent cabinet reshuffle approved just hours before her suspension.

Earlier this week, Paetongtarn issued another apology, emphasizing that her discussion with Hun Sen was "more than 100%... for the country." The dialogue concerned the long-standing border dispute, which has flared up again after a Cambodian soldier's death in May.

The leaked exchange sparked particular ire among conservative lawmakers, who accused her of appeasing Hun Sen and undermining the military. Defending her intentions, Paetongtarn stated, "I had no intent to do it for my own interest. I only thought about how to avoid chaos, avoid fighting, and to avoid loss of lives." She vowed to focus on thoroughly explaining her position.

If dismissed, Paetongtarn will become the second Pheu Thai party prime minister ousted in little over a year. Her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed by the same court for appointing a cabinet member with a criminal record.

Paetongtarn, whose father Thaksin Shinawatra is a former Thai leader, came into office after these events. This situation highlights the significant influence of the constitutional court, which critics argue is used to target political adversaries. Since 2006, the court has dissolved 34 political parties, including the reformist Move Forward party, which garnered the most seats in the 2023 election but was barred from forming a government.

"This is a recurring theme in Thai politics… a part of the political culture that undermines what a genuine political process should be," commented Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political science lecturer at Ubon Ratchathani University. He added that the suspension, despite its legitimacy in the eyes of many due to the leak, calls into question Paetongtarn's dedication to national interests.

At 38, Paetongtarn is Thailand's youngest leader and the second woman to hold the office after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Her popularity has waned amid economic challenges, with approval ratings dropping from 30.9% in March to 9.2% last weekend.

The court's decision coincides with her father Thaksin's ongoing legal battles. He is facing charges of insulting the monarchy over a past interview. Thaksin, who returned to Thailand after 15 years of self-imposed exile, is currently on trial under the country's strict lese majeste law. His high-profile return resulted from a compromise between the Pheu Thai party and its former conservative adversaries, including military factions and royalist groups that had previously overthrown Shinawatra-led governments. - BBC