Thai court sacks PM Paetongtarn over leaked phone call with Hun Sen

Her ouster for ethics violation thrusts country deeper into political turmoil

- Philip Wen

BANGKOK - A Thai court has permanently disqualified Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over ethical misconduct in her handling of a border clash with Cambodia, thrusting Thailand deeper into political turmoil and upending the fortunes of the country's most prominent political dynasty.

The nine-judge court found that she had violated ethical standards in a controversial leaked phone conversation with de facto Cambodian leader Hun Sen on June 15, as border tensions between the two countries were mounting.

In a 6-3 decision, the court said Ms Paetongtarn, who had been provisionally suspended since July 1, had undermined the integrity of the office and that she had placed personal political considerations over national interest.

"(Ms Paetongtarn) lacked demonstrable honesty and integrity, and seriously violated or failed to comply with ethical standards," the court said in a statement on Aug 29.

In the call, Ms Paetongtarn is heard pleading with the Cambodian Senate president and former prime minister to help resolve tensions between the two countries, while promising to do whatever he asked in return. Adopting a deferential tone, she addressed Mr Hun Sen as "uncle", while also appearing to criticize the Thai army and referring to one of her military commanders as an "opponent".

Ms Paetongtarn later apologized for her choice of words, saying they were merely part of a negotiating strategy and that she was unaware she was being recorded.

"Due to a personal relationship that appeared aligned with Cambodia, the respondent was consistently willing to comply with or act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side," the court said.