Suspended Thailand PM Paetongtarn hit by ethics investigation, source and media say
The investigation will be another blow to the beleaguered government of 38-year-old Paetongtarn, Thailand's youngest premier, who the Constitutional Court suspended from duty earlier this month over the same issue.
The leaked Jun 15 call, during which Paetongtarn appeared to kowtow before Hun Sen and criticised a Thai army commander, triggered a major backlash at home, with allegations she had undermined Thailand's integrity and sovereignty amid a heated territorial dispute with Cambodia.
Paetongtarn has since seen protests calling for her resignation and the exit from her coalition of its second-largest party, leaving her government with a razor-thin majority.
'The commission has set up an investigation panel. There is no time frame,' said an official from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), who declined to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.
The body has a broad remit to probe allegations of offences by state officials beyond graft.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
Sign Up
Sign Up
Multiple Thai media outlets on Monday reported it had decided to investigate Pateongtarn.
NACC secretary-general Sarote Phuengrampan told reporters he was not aware of the investigation or any decision by commissioners.
The complaint came from 36 senators, who also petitioned the Constitutional Court, alleging Paetongtarn, the daughter of politically influential billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, had violated ethical standards and intentionally abused her power.
She is suspended from duty until a verdict is delivered.
Paetongtarn has apologised for the call and insisted she was trying to find a peaceful solution to an escalating row with Cambodia, which saw a troop build-up on both sides of the border.
Her battles after only 10 months in office underline a deep rift in Thailand between the Shinawatra political dynasty and its rivals among a conservative establishment backed by the army, a long-running power struggle that has seen two coups, and the fall of multiple parties and prime ministers by court orders. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Thai Army invites Red Cross to inspect detained Cambodian soldiers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree talks to media after a meeting with the defense attaches from various countries on the Thailand-Cambodia border issue, at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand on July 22, 2025. The Royal Thai Army has extended an invitation to international bodies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to inspect Cambodian soldiers currently held in Thai custody. This move comes in response to accusations from Cambodia alleging that Thailand subjected its captured soldiers to inhumane treatment prior to their repatriation following a recent ceasefire agreement . Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, dismissed Cambodia's claims on Aug 2 as 'distorted accusations'. He clarified that while a ceasefire had been abruptly implemented, the armed conflict has not yet genuinely concluded. Therefore, under international law, the military's process of temporary detention remains permissible under the Geneva Conventions. 'The Royal Thai Army has a plan and is fully prepared to invite international organisations such as the ICRC to observe the well-being of the detained prisoners of war,' Maj Gen Winthai stated. He affirmed that Thailand's procedures are 'completely within the framework' of the Geneva Conventions. The invitation, he explained, is a proactive measure driven by an understanding that Cambodia might attempt to 'distort this issue to undermine the credibility of the Thai military'. Consequently, representatives from both UNHCR and ICRC are welcome to conduct inspections through established international legal channels. The Thai side, he stressed, is committed to conducting all its operations strictly under international rules. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Thailand returns some Cambodian soldiers ahead of key border talks, Asia News
BANGKOK - Thailand's army sent home two Cambodian soldiers from a group of 20 on Friday (Aug 1), ahead of a key meeting in Malaysia next week where defence ministers and military commanders will hold talks aimed at maintaining a ceasefire along their disputed border. Long-simmering tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border exploded into clashes last week, including exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties, the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. The clashes claimed at least 43 lives and left over 300,000 people displaced. A truce was achieved on Monday, following a push by Malaysia and phone calls from U.S President Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting stopped. Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36 per cent for sending goods to the US, their largest export markets. Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19 per cent tariff, the White House announced on Friday. In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters on Friday that two Cambodian soldiers had been sent back, and the remaining 18 were being processed for violating immigration law. "The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles," he said. In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry asked Thailand to return all the detained soldiers. "Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations to secure their release, and reiterates its firm call for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with the international humanitarian law," a ministry spokesperson said. [[nid:720762]] Defence ministers and military leaders from both sides, who were previously scheduled to meet in the Cambodian capital next week, will now hold talks in Malaysia, after Thailand sought a neutral venue for the meeting. The General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, will meet between Aug 4-7, Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters. "Defence attaches from other Asean countries will be invited as well as the defence attaches from the US and China," a Malaysian government spokesperson told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc that the country currently chairs. Thailand and Cambodia have for decades claimed jurisdiction over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of several ancient temples at the centre of disputes. In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish, leading to a troop build-up and a diplomatic crisis, which eventually snowballed into five-days of intense fighting in late July.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Kuala Lumpur to host Thailand-Cambodia border talks
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A Thai police officer standing guard next to an explosive danger sign on a main road in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, Thailand, Aug 1, 2025. PETALING JAYA - The General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Thailand and Cambodia will be held in Kuala Lumpur, according to the Malaysian Armed Forces. In a statement on Aug 2, the Armed Forces announced that it will facilitate the meeting in the nation's capital from Aug 4 to Aug 7. 'The upcoming GBC Meeting, which aims to resolve the border dispute between both countries, is part of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Malaysia on July 28. 'Malaysia is the neutral venue chosen mutually by Thailand and Cambodia for the GBC Meeting this time around. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the deployment of the Defence Attaché as the interim team and the deployment of the ASEAN Monitoring Group will be part of the GBC agenda,' the statement read. The GBC is one of several bilateral mechanisms established by Thailand and Cambodia to address border matters. The countries take turns hosting the meetings, and it is currently Cambodia's turn to do so. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
