Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha from his duties and responsibilities in connection with a case it is currently reviewing. The case against Prayuth was filed with the signatures of 36 members of the legislature. The complaint alleges that Prayuth has prioritized deceit, lost his integrity, and acted unethically. It also calls for his removal from the office of Prime Minister.
The case against Prayuth in Thailand’s Constitutional Court comes at a time when a recording of a phone conversation between him and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been leaked. It also comes at a moment when Prayuth’s government is facing significant pressures and challenges on various fronts. In the phone conversation, Hun Sen was working to find a solution to disputes over territorial boundaries. Both countries have been amassing troops and weapons near the disputed border areas.
The recording of the phone call between Hun Sen and Prayuth was leaked on June 15. This heated up Thailand’s political landscape. A major party in Prayuth’s ruling coalition expressed its dissatisfaction by leaving the alliance. The party stated that Prayuth’s actions had compromised Thailand’s sovereign independence. However, it’s worth noting that the coalition still maintains enough members in the legislature to sustain the government. In the wake of this phone call, protests against Prayuth’s government are currently ongoing in various parts of Thailand. These demonstrations are backed by parties and institutions opposed to the Shinawatra family, including, according to analysts, the Thai military. Tensions between the Shinawatra family and the Thaid the Thai military have manifested multiple times. Prayuth’s government, which came to power 10 months ago, has been facing significant challenges.
Due to the conflict between the Shinawatra family and the Thai military, the country has experienced two coups that overthrew the government. Additionally, governments associated with the Shinawatra family have been removed from power through the Constitutional Court. Following the leak of the phone call recording with Hun Sen, Prayuth has apologized. He also stated that he accepts the case filed against him in the Constitutional Court and the decision to suspend him from his duties and responsibilities as Prime Minister.
During the conversation with Hun Sen, Prayuth criticized senior commanders of his own country’s military. The legislators who filed the case against Prayuth stated that this is not an action befitting someone holding the position of Thailand’s Prime Minister. However, Prayuth has defended the phone call. “The true intention in the leaked call, the 100% truth, was to defend and protect [Thailand’s] sovereign independence and save the lives of soldiers,” he said.
Prayuth, 37, is the youngest person to assume the role of Thailand’s Prime Minister. He is also the son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Prayuth is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to hold the position of Thailand’s Prime Minister. Support for Prayuth’s government has been lost due to various issues. According to the most recent opinion polls, his approval rating, or the percentage of people who support him, is only 9.2%.
