The Constitutional Court has set August 29 for the delivery of its ruling on suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s case involving her leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s strongman Hun Sen.
A group of 36 senators has asked the Constitutional Court to rule on the content of Paetongtarn’s conversation with Hun Sen, which, they claim, amounts to gross ethical misconduct and dishonesty.
In accepting the petition, the Constitutional Court suspended her from her prime-ministerial duties, pending the outcome of its investigation into the matter.
Paetongtarn admitted during a press conference that the voice heard on the recording was indeed hers, speaking with Hun Sen.
She reasoned that it was a private telephone conversation, intended as a polite negotiation in an effort to maintain peace and Thailand’s sovereignty.
In the recording, leaked by Hun Sen’s side, Paetongtarn is heard referring to the Thai Second Army Region commander as “the opposition” who could do anything to make himself look good.
She also asked Hun Sen to tell her what he wanted, and said that she was willing to do anything he asked.
The petitioners accuse Paetongtarn of demonstrating inaction and failing to carry out her duties as the prime minister in the recording.
They allege that, due to personal relationships, aligned with Cambodia, she has consistently been willing to comply with or accommodate Cambodia’s demands.
Regarding her statement about the commander, the petitioners claim that she took the opposing side, manifestly lacked integrity and committed a serious violation of or non-compliance with ethical standards.
Following the leak of the recording, Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin, who is known for having more than a decade-long relationship with Hun Sen, announced that his friendship with him is over.
