Court decision: Thailand’s Prime Minister suspended | Stern.de

Thailand’s head of government Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the constitutional court by the Office in the crisis about a leaked audio recording. At the request of Senate President Mongkol Surasak, the court had dealt with the case that led to a government crisis, as the Thai online portal “The Thaiger” and other media reported.

The suspension should therefore apply until the constitutional court comes to a final assessment whether Paetongtarn had behaved unconstitutionally. The managing director of the government is now her previous deputy Suriya Jungrungreangkit, as the “Bangkok Post” writes. According to the Royal Gazette, the publication center for official announcements, Phumtham Wejayachai is now acting as deputy head of government.

Controversial statements fell in conversation about the border conflict

Paetongtarn had telephoned with the Cambodian ex-long-term ruler and today’s Senate President Hun sen over a long smoldering border conflict. A recording with explosive statements from it was then leaked.

The Prime Minister had raised the 72-year-old as “uncle” and described a high-ranking military in the border region as her “opponent”. Hun also offered to do everything he thought was necessary to consolidate her own position. That caused great vertebrae. Although Paetongtarn later apologized, the second largest coalition party Bhumjaithai left the government alliance in response.

Since then there have been protests against the government in Thailand. Demonstrators call for the resignation of the Prime Minister and new elections.