Thai court dismisses prime minister over compromising phone call with Cambodian leader

Summary

Thailand's Constitutional Court has dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a compromising phone call with Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen amid border tensions, destabilizing the ruling coalition.

Key Points
  • Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for violating constitutional ethics rules in a phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.
  • Paetongtarn was suspended since July 1 and replaced temporarily by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
  • The leaked call aimed to ease border tensions but caused outrage due to perceived overfriendliness and criticism of a Thai army general.
  • The ruling weakens the ruling coalition and is a setback for Thaksin Shinawatra's political influence in Thailand.
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