Thailand’s Constitutional Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on the fate of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra this Friday, in a case concerning a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen before escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Paetongtarn, a 39-year-old politician who has held office for only a year, may face dismissal, similar to the previous prime minister who was ousted by the court a year ago. This ruling could potentially lead to political chaos in Thailand, especially as the nation recently entered a ceasefire with Cambodia.
During deliberations, a nine-judge panel began discussions at 9:30 a.m. local time (0230 UTC/GMT) and is expected to announce its decision later in the day. The case against Paetongtarn centers on a leaked phone call with Hun Sen, wherein Paetongtarn reportedly referred to Hun as “uncle” and a Thai military commander as her “opponent.” They engaged in discussions about shared border tensions.
Paetongtarn, who is the daughter of the controversial billionaire and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended from office in July after senators accused her of unethical behavior, dishonesty, and a lack of support for the country’s interests. The leaked call led to widespread anger in Thailand, where the military holds significant influence. As a result, some lawmakers accused the prime minister of undermining her country’s troops and her coalition partner withdrew their support in protest.
The situation is especially volatile as Thailand and Cambodia have been in conflict over a disputed border area, leading to the deadliest military clashes in decades. The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 40 people and the displacement of approximately 300,000 individuals from their homes along the border.
In Thai politics, Paetongtarn runs the risk of becoming the fifth prime minister in 17 years to be removed from power by the Constitutional Court. The prolonged political division in Thailand has been fueled by a power struggle between the pro-royalist elites, the Thai military, and the Shinawatra political dynasty. The appointment of a new prime minister is expected to be challenging and may take considerable time, as all parties need to align their interests for the selection process to proceed smoothly.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/thailand-pm-s-judgment-day-threatens-political-paralysis/a-73802515?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
