Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn hit by ethics investigation, source and media say

Thailand’s anti-corruption body has launched an investigation into suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over alleged ethical violations linked to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, officials and local media reported on Monday.

The probe marks another setback for Paetongtarn, Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister at 38, who was suspended earlier this month by the Constitutional Court in connection with the same incident.

The controversial phone call, dated June 15, featured Paetongtarn seemingly expressing deference to Hun Sen and criticising a senior Thai army commander. The leak sparked significant domestic backlash, with critics accusing her of compromising Thailand’s sovereignty during an ongoing territorial dispute with Cambodia.

Since the incident, Paetongtarn has faced mounting protests demanding her resignation, and her ruling coalition has been weakened following the withdrawal of its second-largest party, leaving it with a slim parliamentary majority.

“The commission has established an investigation panel, but there is no set timeline,” said an official from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), speaking anonymously due to lack of authorisation to discuss the matter publicly.

While the NACC’s mandate extends beyond corruption to include broader misconduct by public officials, its secretary-general, Sarote Phuengrampan, told reporters he was unaware of any formal decision or investigation underway.

The complaint was initiated by 36 senators, who also petitioned the Constitutional Court, accusing Paetongtarn—daughter of influential former leader Thaksin Shinawatra—of breaching ethical standards and abusing her authority. She remains suspended pending the court’s ruling.

Paetongtarn has apologised for the call, stating her intention was to de-escalate tensions with Cambodia, which had led to a military buildup along the border.

Her political struggles just 10 months into office highlight the enduring divide in Thai politics between the Shinawatra family and the conservative, military-aligned establishment—a power struggle that has led to two coups and the downfall of several governments through judicial interventions.

Copied