Calling the enemy country’s leader ‘uncle’ proved costly, Thailand’s PM Shinawatra was suspended after the phone call was leaked

A Thai court on Tuesday removed Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra from his post until the investigation is completed. Shinawatra has been removed from his post in connection with the leak of a phone call with a Cambodian leader. On May 28, after the border dispute, Shinawatra had talked to a senior Cambodian leader over the phone. The court had started an investigation into his conduct in the diplomatic dispute with Cambodia.

He took charge last year

A statement said, ‘The court, by a majority of 7-2, has suspended the respondent from the duties of the Prime Minister from July 1 until the Constitutional Court gives its verdict.’ A group of conservative senators has filed a case accusing PM Patongtarn of violating the ethics of the post amid the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

The long-standing territorial dispute led to a cross-border conflict in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. Shinawatra became the PM of Thailand in 2024 and was the youngest person to become a Prime Minister in history. She was also the second woman to be given the responsibility of this post.

Called the army ‘rival’

According to the recording that has surfaced, when Patongtarn called Cambodian politician Hun Sen to discuss the ongoing tension on the border. During this, he called Sen ‘uncle’ and called the Thai military commander a ‘rival’. Due to this, he was heavily criticized. Conservative MPs have accused him of bowing to Cambodia and weakening the army. Senators allege that he has violated constitutional provisions requiring ‘clear integrity’ and ‘ethical standards’ among ministers.