'Traitor, sell out': Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended over leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader - what were the two discussing?

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader.

Judges voted unanimously to accept the ethics petition against Paetongtarn and, by a 7-2 vote, suspended her from duty. The decision followed rising public discontent over her handling of a recent border clash with Cambodia on May 28 that left a Cambodian soldier dead. A leaked phone call during her diplomatic efforts on the dispute further fueled complaints and protests.

Protesters who assembled on Saturday waved Thai flags and chanted “Ung Ing, step down,” referring to the prime minister by her nickname. Several carried signs labeling her a “traitor” and a “sell out,” accusing her of betraying the country, the Guardian reported.

What was in the leaked audio tape?

Earlier this month, a leaked phone call revealed her discussing the border dispute with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen .

In the recording, she was heard speaking critically of a high-ranking Thai military official and referring to Hun Sen as “uncle,” assuring him that if there is anything he wants she will “take care of it”.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s king approved a cabinet reshuffle aimed at stabilizing the coalition government, which has been rocked by the exit of a major party following Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader.

Paetongtarn assumed the role of culture minister, expressing her goal to showcase Thai culture internationally. Prior to becoming prime minister, she had been an advocate for Thailand’s “soft power,” emphasizing the nation’s cuisine, cultural heritage, and sports.