Latest news with #ethicsInvestigation
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Thailand's New Cabinet Members Take Oaths, Including Suspended Prime Minister
Thailand's new Cabinet members took their oaths of office Thursday, including the suspended prime minister who is under an ethics investigation for her remarks to a senior Cambodian leader. Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended as prime minister Tuesday, the same day Thailand's king endorsed a Cabinet lineup in which she would be the culture minister. Paetongtarn was smiling as she arrived at Government House for the swearing-in ceremony with other new members, but did not answer questions. Acting Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit led the new Cabinet members at the ceremony to receive the endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Suriya is expected later to assign the acting prime minister duty to Phumtham Wechayachai, who was sworn in Thursday as deputy prime minister and interior minister. Phumtham had been deputy prime minister and defense minister since Paetongtarn took office last year. Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, including an armed confrontation in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. In a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, she attempted to defuse tensions–but instead set off a string of complaints and public protests. Critics said she went too far in appeasing Hun Sen and damaged Thailand's image and reputation. The Constitutional Court voted unanimously Tuesday to review a petition accusing her of a breach of ethics and voted seven to two to immediately suspend her until it issues its ruling. The court gave Paetongtarn fifteen days to give evidence to support her case. It's unclear when it will rule.
Al Jazeera
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Thai court suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra over leaked phone call
Thai court suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra over leaked phone call NewsFeed Thailand's top court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen. She accepted the decision, after being accused of violating the constitution with remarks about a deadly May border clash that sparked protests in Bangkok. Video Duration 01 minutes 28 seconds 01:28 Video Duration 01 minutes 13 seconds 01:13 Video Duration 00 minutes 42 seconds 00:42 Video Duration 02 minutes 25 seconds 02:25 Video Duration 00 minutes 43 seconds 00:43 Video Duration 00 minutes 56 seconds 00:56 Video Duration 00 minutes 31 seconds 00:31
Al Jazeera
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Court suspends Thailand's PM pending case over leaked phone call
Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian official, heaping pressure on Thailand's governing political dynasty. The court said in a statement that it had accepted a petition from 36 senators, which accuses Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards, in violation of the constitution, over a leaked telephone conversation with Cambodia's influential former leader, Hun Sen. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will assume a caretaker role while the court decides the case against Paetongtarn, who has 15 days to respond. Paetongtarn will remain in the cabinet as the new culture minister following a cabinet reshuffle. The controversy stems from a June 15 phone call with Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen that was intended to defuse escalating border tensions between the neighbours. During the call, Paetongtarn, 38, referred to Hun Sen as 'uncle' and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologised and said her remarks were a negotiating tactic. The leaked call led to domestic outrage and has left Paetongtarn's coalition with a razor-thin majority, with a key party abandoning the alliance and expected to soon seek a no-confidence vote in parliament, as protest groups demand the premier resign. Legal perils Paetongtarn's battles after only 10 months in power underline the declining strength of the Pheu Thai Party, the populist juggernaut of the billionaire Shinawatra dynasty, which has dominated Thai elections since 2001, enduring military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and prime ministers. It has been a baptism of fire for political novice Paetongtarn, who was thrust into power as Thailand's youngest premier and replacement for Srettha Thavisin, who the Constitutional Court dismissed for violating ethics by appointing a minister who had once been jailed. Paetongtarn's government has also been struggling to revive a stuttering economy, and her popularity has declined sharply, with a June 19-25 opinion poll released at the weekend showing her approval rating sinking to 9.2 percent from 30.9 percent in March. Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin, the 75-year-old family patriarch and billionaire who was twice elected leader in the early 2000s, is also facing legal hurdles. Divisive tycoon Thaksin, according to his lawyer, appeared at his first hearing at Bangkok's Criminal Court on Tuesday on charges that he insulted Thailand's powerful monarchy, a serious offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Thaksin denies the allegations and has repeatedly pledged allegiance to the crown. The case stems from a 2015 media interview Thaksin gave while in self-imposed exile, from which he returned in 2023 after 15 years abroad to serve a prison sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Thaksin dodged jail and spent six months in hospital detention on medical grounds before being released on parole in February last year. The Supreme Court will this month scrutinise that hospital stay and could potentially send him back to jail.
