The Constitutional Court of Thailand has initiated dismissal proceedings against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and ordered a suspension of her duties in relation to a controversy over leaked currency content criticizing senior military commanders.
According to AFP, Reuters, and others, on 1st (local time), the Constitutional Court of Thailand decided to commence hearings to determine whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn violated constitutional ethical standards regarding her currency scandal with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. Seven of the nine judges also agreed to her suspension.
The controversy arose recently when a currency conversation with Hun Sen, a figure from Cambodia who experienced border clashes with Thailand, was leaked externally. In the conversation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reportedly targeted Second Army Commander Bunsing Pakang, saying, "He wants to look cool," and noted, "What he says is not beneficial to the country." She also commented that the soldier belongs to the opposing camp.
The currency content was shared by Hun Sen with about 80 people around him, essentially leaking it externally, leading 36 conservative senators in Thailand to raise an issue and file a petition for the Prime Minister's dismissal.
Following the Constitutional Court's decision, Prime Minister Paetongtarn has resigned from her position but will remain in the cabinet as the Minister of Culture, which she was expected to hold. During the suspension, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation Surya Chulalongsuk will act in her stead.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn accepted the Constitutional Court's decision, stating, "I apologize to those who have been hurt by this matter," and added, "I will continue to work for the people."
The daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, she became the youngest and second female Prime Minister in Thailand's history at the age of 37 but faced a dismissal crisis just over 10 months into her term.
Meanwhile, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated following a shooting incident in the northeastern border area of Thailand in May, during which a Cambodian soldier was killed.