Latest news with #ethicalviolations
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended over leaked Hun Sen call
Thailand's constitutional court has suspended the prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, while it investigates alleged ethical violations relating to a leaked phone call. The court announced on Tuesday that it would consider a petition filed by 36 senators calling for Paetongtarn's dismissal, accusing her of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution. Paetongtarn has faced mounting pressure after a leaked recording of a phone conversation with Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she discussed a border dispute between the two countries. In the call, she can be heard calling Hun Sen 'uncle' and saying that if there were anything he wanted, she would 'take care of it'. She also made critical remarks about a senior Thai military commander. The recording has caused public outrage, with critics accusing her of betraying her country and kowtowing to Cambodia. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for almost four decades and remains powerful in the country, is known to have been an old friend of Paetongtarn's family, though relations have soured in recent weeks. Tuesday's decision is the latest blow for Paetongtarn, scion of the powerful but controversial Shinawatra family. She is clinging to power after a coalition partner quit her government earlier this month, leaving her with only a slim majority as a possible no-confidence vote looms. On Saturday 10,000 protesters gathered in Bangkok calling for her resignation, while an opinion poll released at the weekend showed her approval rating had fallen from 30.9% in March to 9.2%. Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire former leader, is also facing legal troubles, and appeared in court on Tuesday to face allegations that he breached the lese-majesty law. Under the law, any criticism of the royal family can lead to up to 15 years in prison. The case relates to a 2015 interview he gave to South Korean media. For two decades Thai politics has been dominated by a power struggle between the Shinawatras and their opponents in the conservative military royalist establishment. Thaksin was twice elected prime minister, but was ousted in a coup in 2006. His sister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted by a court ruling followed by a coup in 2014. Paetongtarn told reporters at Bangkok's Government House that she accepted the ruling. 'It's always been my intention to do the best thing for my country,' she said. 'I'd like to apologise to Thai people who are frustrated about this.' She has previously described her comments in the call as a negotiating tactic. Thailand has a long-running border dispute with Cambodia that flared up in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of fire. The incident has led to a surge in nationalist sentiment and tit-for-tat actions by both governments. The deputy prime minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, will take over as a caretaker while the court decides the case against Paetongtarn.
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended over leaked call
Thailand's constitutional court has suspended the prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, while it investigates alleged ethical violations relating to a leaked phone call. The court announced on Tuesday that it would consider a petition filed by 36 senators calling for the dismissal of the prime minister, accusing her of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution. Paetongtarn has faced mounting pressure after a leaked recording of a phone conversation with Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she discussed a border dispute between the two countries. In the call, she can be heard calling Hun Sen 'uncle' and saying that if there were anything he wanted, she would 'take care of it'. She also made critical remarks about a senior Thai military commander. The recording has caused public outrage, with critics accusing her of betraying her country and kowtowing to Cambodia. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for almost four decades and remains powerful in the country, is known to have been an old friend of Paetongtarn's family – though relations have soured in recent weeks. Tuesday's decision is the latest blow for Paetongtarn, scion of the powerful but controversial Shinawatra family. She is clinging to power after a coalition partner quit her government earlier this month, leaving her with only a slim majority as a possible no confidence vote looms. On Saturday 10,000 protesters gathered in Bangkok calling for her resignation, while an opinion poll released at the weekend showed her approval rating had fallen from 30.9% in March to 9.2%. It is expected that power will pass to the deputy prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire former leader, is also facing legal troubles, and appeared in court on Tuesday to face allegations that he breached the lèse-majesté law. Under the law, any criticism of the royal family can lead to up to 15 years in prison. The case relates to a 2015 interview he gave to South Korean media. For two decades Thai politics has been dominated by a power struggle between the Shinawatras and their opponents in the conservative military royalist establishment. Thaksin was twice elected prime minister, but was ousted in a coup in 2006. His sister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted by a court ruling followed by a coup in 2014. Paetongtarn told reporters at Bangkok's Government House that she accepted the ruling. 'It's always been my intention to do the best thing for my country,' she said. 'I'd like to apologise to Thai people who are frustrated about this.' She has previously described her comments in the call as a negotiating tactic. Thailand has a longrunning border dispute with Cambodia that flared up in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of fire. The incident has led to a surge in nationalist sentiment and tit-for-tat actions by both governments.
CNA
08-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Thailand suspends two doctors over ex-PM Thaksin hospital stay
BANGKOK: Thailand's Medical Council suspended two doctors on Thursday (May 8) over alleged ethical violations linked to treatment given to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra following his return from exile. Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade overseas and was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power upon arrival. However, he was transferred almost immediately from a detention centre to a private room in Bangkok's Police General Hospital for health reasons and never spent a night in a cell. His transfer, and the timing of his return, which coincided with his Pheu Thai party forming a new government, fuelled public suspicion of a backroom deal and allegations of special treatment. The Medical Council of Thailand said its ethics committee voted to suspend two doctors involved in issuing medical certificates for the ex-premier, citing discrepancies between their reports and his actual condition. "It is a consequence of a sub-par professional work," the Council's Vice President Prasit Watanapa told reporters after the meeting. He said that a third doctor who was involved in less "severe consequences" will receive a letter of warning. "It is indeed a very harsh punishment for any doctors," he added, without saying how long the suspensions would last. The disciplinary decision will be submitted to the Minister of Public Health for final approval. Thailand's Supreme Court announced last week it will investigate whether Thaksin's sentence was properly served, and has summoned hospital and prison officials for questioning. Thaksin, who had said he would retire from politics after returning, has remained active, campaigning in provincial elections for Pheu Thai and recently volunteering in informal trade discussions with the United States, according to Thai media. While Thaksin remains popular with his support base, he has long been disliked by Thailand's pro-royalist and military establishment.
