**Thai Prime Minister Temporarily Removed Amid Political Turmoil**

Paetongtarn Shinawatra's leaked conversation ignites public backlash and further destabilizes her coalition government.

Thailand's Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has been suspended by the Constitutional Court while it deliberates on a petition for her removal after a leaked phone call surfaced. In this controversial audio clip, Shinawatra referred to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander, sparking widespread public outrage and a motion for her ousting.

Shinawatra’s ruling coalition currently holds a precarious grip on power, having lost a significant conservative ally in recent weeks, which has placed her government at risk of collapse. The court has voted 7-2 in favor of her suspension, giving the Prime Minister 15 days to prepare her defense. In the interim, the Deputy Prime Minister will assume the role of acting leader, although Shinawatra will remain in her cabinet position as culture minister, a role she was appointed to shortly before the court's decision.

In a press conference, Shinawatra expressed remorse for the situation, insisting that her intentions during the conversation with Hun Sen were focused on national interests, particularly regarding a long-standing border dispute that has recently escalated. Critics, particularly conservative lawmakers, assert that her comments were a sign of subservience to Hun Sen, undermining Thailand's military stance.

Should the court rule against her, it would mark the second time in less than a year that a Prime Minister from the Pheu Thai party has been removed from office, following the dismissal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin. The incidents raise concerns about the Constitutional Court's influence in Thai politics, with experts arguing that such judicial actions may be used strategically against political adversaries.

At just 38 years old, Shinawatra is the youngest Prime Minister in Thailand and the second woman to hold the office, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. However, her leadership is already faltering due to economic challenges and dwindling public approval, dropping to 9.2% from 30.9% in March. The court's decision coincides with her father's ongoing legal troubles as Thaksin Shinawatra faces charges related to royal insult. Thaksin's return from exile was part of a broader political compromise, complicating the dynamics of the current administration and the legacy of the Shinawatra dynasty in Thai politics.