Thailand's power vacuum won't affect border security

Thailand's lack of a formal government will not affect border security with Cambodia, the defense ministry said Saturday, as the kingdom scrambles to fill a power vacuum following the dismissal of the prime minister by the Constitutional Court.

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The Southeast Asian nation was thrown into political turmoil on Friday when the court sacked prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over her handling of a border row with Cambodia, saying she had "not upheld the ethical code of conduct."

The ruling has left Thailand with an acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and a caretaker cabinet which will stay on until a new government is formed as early as next week.

On Saturday morning the acting cabinet held a special meeting confirming the arrangement, with no new major announcements.

Deputy Defence Minister Natthapon Nakpanich said having an acting government would "not affect" the country's ability to safeguard its sovereignty amid a fragile ceasefire at the border with Cambodia.