Court gives a new turn to Thailand crisis

Thailand’s Constitutional Court had suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the plea of 36 Senators that her controversial phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen should be investigated, and that she should be suspended pending investigation. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is the acting prime minister. Paetongtarn will remain prime minister and minister for culture.

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The new cabinet lineup was announced by the Royal Gazette on Tuesday. There were changes in the portfolios assigned to the cabinet members. Defence minister Phumthum Wejayachai has been appointed the new deputy prime minister and minister of interior. Finance minister and deputy prime minister Pichai Chunhavajira retains his position. The new lineup is approved by King Vajiralongkorn, who is the constitutional head of state. The monarch keeps himself aloof from the political tussles and turmoil. The army has been the staunchest defender of the monarchy.

In the course of her conversation Paetongtarn had made derogatory remarks about the Thai general of the Second Army who was handling the clashes with Cambodia across the border. There was apprehension that the army might take offence and intervene in the political system. The army had intervened earlier. But this time round, the army had kept out and it had even issued a statement that it had no intention of intervening.