BREAKING NEWS The Constitutional Court Suspends Prime Minister Paetongtarn Over Leaked Audio Scandal

[Georgealbert]

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves Government House after Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister from office pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

The Constitutional Court has ordered Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to temporarily step down from her duties following a unanimous decision to admit a petition concerning a controversial leaked audio clip. The court then voted 7–2 in favour of suspending her from her role while the matter is under formal review.

 

The move follows a petition submitted by Senate President Mongkol Surasajja on behalf of 36 senators, requesting a ruling under Section 170, Paragraph 3, in conjunction with Section 82 of the Thai Constitution. The petition raises questions about whether Paetongtarn’s tenure as Prime Minister should be terminated based on alleged violations of ethical standards under Sections 160(4) and (5).

 

The controversy centres around a leaked audio recording of a conversation between Paetongtarn and Samdech Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia and current President of its Senate. The clip reportedly includes sensitive remarks involving Thailand’s Second Army Region commander, with language that critics argue undermines national sovereignty, the military, and the people of Thailand.

 

In response to the petition, the Constitutional Court voted 9–0 to accept the case for consideration and 7–2 to suspend Paetongtarn from her Prime Ministerial duties pending a final ruling.

 

Under the current legal framework, the court’s decision is in accordance with Section 82(2) of the Constitution, the 2018 Organic Act on Constitutional Court Procedure (Section 71), and the 2019 Rules of the Constitutional Court (Clause 40(8)).

 

Despite the suspension, Paetongtarn will retain her position as Minister of Culture, which is not affected by the current proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-01

 

 

 

[Artisi]

Oh! What a bugger - looks like the wheels are starting to fall-off. 

[Cuchulainn]

Looks like the lunchboxes didn't work🤣🤣

[harada]

One down one to go. 😉

[anchadian]

Pravit Rojanaphruk

@PravitR

 

Charter Court voted 7 vs 2 to suspend #Paetongtarn from PM duties. It's not even 6 vs 3, & means the chance of her being impeached in the days, or weeks ahead, is considerable. Will remaining coalition partners start pulling out or risk being branded as traitors?

 

https://x.com/PravitR/status/1939939590736945401

 

[Dan O]

6 minutes ago, harada said:

One down one to go. 😉

Probably nothing will happen as usual. They will hold "court" to show they are acting in good faith for the people and proclaim fairness but in the end it will be a nothing burger

[Patong2021]

Whether or not. the PM should be PM is a  seperate issue. The "Constitutional Court" judges were appointed by the previous military junta. It had no problem going along with the  military that was in control previously, but now all of a sudden it has discovered  national duty. Huzzah.

[novacova]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

 

…good bye…

[Cuchulainn]

^^ and good riddance

[Captain Flack]

Post containing only a blind link to YouTube removed.

[Purdey]

Not sure how serious this charge is for ordinary Thais. She obviously said the army commander was on the opposite side of the political spectrum (i.e, not a Pheu Thai supporter), but language that critics argue undermines national sovereignty, the military, and the people of Thailand doesn't involve the whole of the military or the entire population of Thailand, let alone sovereignty. Sounds like making mountains out of molehills. Further, it was a private call, so whoever made an audio copy and released it should be let go as untrustworthy.

[John Drake]

I wish Prayuth was back. 

[bannork]

She had to go after what she said.

Craven kowtowing to Uncle Hun Sen and bad-mouthing her own General to him.

Another victim of Thaksin's ceaseless lust for power along with her aunt.

 

 

[Captain Flack]

Reminder of forum rule 4. You will not express disrespect of the King of Thailand or any member of the Thai royal family whether living or deceased. You will not criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments or discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing His Majesty The King of Thailand or the Thai royal family. You will not link to or discuss any website which contravenes this rule.To breach this rule is a serious issue that will result in suspension or possible removal from the  forum.

[ChipButty]

That family should just be banned from politics, everything they do is just dodgy, 

[MikeandDow]

 

41 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Not sure how serious this charge is for ordinary Thais. She obviously said the army commander was on the opposite side of the political spectrum (i.e, not a Pheu Thai supporter), but language that critics argue undermines national sovereignty, the military, and the people of Thailand doesn't involve the whole of the military or the entire population of Thailand, let alone sovereignty. Sounds like making mountains out of molehills. Further, it was a private call, so whoever made an audio copy and released it should be let go as untrustworthy.

its obvious you do not read the news The full version was released by Hun Sen and if you do not know who he is,  he ruled Cambodia for almost four decades

[couchpotato]

51 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Not sure how serious this charge is for ordinary Thais. She obviously said the army commander was on the opposite side of the political spectrum (i.e, not a Pheu Thai supporter), but language that critics argue undermines national sovereignty, the military, and the people of Thailand doesn't involve the whole of the military or the entire population of Thailand, let alone sovereignty. Sounds like making mountains out of molehills. Further, it was a private call, so whoever made an audio copy and released it should be let go as untrustworthy.

Seems like you are as naive as her.🤔

[DLock]

Daddy, fuel the jet...lets go see Auntie.

[daveAustin]

Only a matter of time. Not too worried about her. It’s the old fella that should be kicked to the curb. 

[BLMFem]

43 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

That family should just be banned from politics, everything they do is just dodgy, 

Yes, as opposed to the others........

[BLMFem]

43 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

 

its obvious you do not read the news The full version was released by Hun Sen and if you do not know who he is,  he ruled Cambodia for almost four decades

Ruled? Not sure why you're using the past tense of the word.

[BLMFem]

Ah, the Constitutional Court again working hard for the good of one political faction Thailand! This splendid institution is one of the reasons Thailand is such a fundamentally democratic society.

Just think about how many tomes they've saved the voters from themselves when they mistakenly elected the wrong party! 

[norsurin]

This country never stop surprised me.Closed borders to Cambodia.. crime all over the country.

Scammers everywhere..and so on.The tourism going down and they still not get it 

[MarkBR]

Imagine in an alternate universe if Pita was PM.  How Thailand might have benefitted.

[jvs]

3 hours ago, Artisi said:

Oh! What a bugger - looks like the wheels are starting to fall-off. 

They are using the spare tire to keep her rolling for now.

[smedly]

33 minutes ago, norsurin said:

This country never stop surprised me.Closed borders to Cambodia.. crime all over the country.

Scammers everywhere..and so on.The tourism going down and they still not get it 

100% 

[0ffshore360]

A 7-2 vote could reasonably indicate serious consideration. If 2 members were not present that might explain the "unanimous" description without explaining any reason for absence.

The quorum for a ruling is 5 members.

 

[DezLez]

5 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

A 7-2 vote could reasonably indicate serious consideration. If 2 members were not present that might explain the "unanimous" description without explaining any reason for absence.

The quorum for a ruling is 5 members.

 

The "unanimous" description referred to the acceptance of the petition and not the vote.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, MarkBR said:

Imagine in an alternate universe if Pita was PM.  How Thailand might have benefitted.

 

I imagine he would have been impeached and banned already. Nobody's really interested in Thailand's benefits, they're all wrapped up in maintaining their own.

[NanLaew]

10 minutes ago, DezLez said:

The "unanimous" description referred to the acceptance of the petition and not the vote.

 

Exactly, it's just a step on the route to exoneration (again).