Thai PM Paetongtarn accepts court suspension, DPM Suriya Jungrungreangkit to be acting PM

Following her suspension on Jul. 1, Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that she accepts the Constitutional Court's decision.

However, she also vowed to defend herself in court, with regards to her intentions behind the incriminating leaked phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen.

Jul. 1 suspension

The said phone call, where Paetongtarn was accused of criticising a Thai army commander and buttering up to Hun Sen amidst Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, was the primary factor considered in her suspension.

The Thai Constitutional Court ruled to remove Paetongtarn from her role as prime minister on the morning of Jul. 1, voting 7-2 in favour of the suspension following a petition from a group of senators, The Nation said.

The ruling also follows recent "yellow shirt" protests on the streets of Bangkok on Jun. 28, where over 6,000 people called for Paetongtarn's removal.

“Now that the court has made its decision, I humbly accept it and will stop working as prime minister for an indefinite period,” Paetongtarn told local media after the court ruling.

“But I have 15 days to present my case and explain the real intention behind my call to Hun Sen”, she added.

Good intentions

Paetongtarn emphasised that her intentions behind the call were good, focused solely on "the country's well-being".

“I had no personal agenda; I only sought to prevent turmoil, loss of life, and further conflict. If lives had been lost, I would not have been able to bear it”, she said.

She also urged that people paid close attention to the conversation in the leaked phone call to understand that she had no malicious intent.

The next 15 days will be used to explain this to the court, she said.

Nonetheless, Paetongtarn apologised "for the method that may have displeased many", while thanking her supporters who had rallied for her on Jun. 30.

Jungrungreangkit will be acting PM

While the Constitutional Court determines Paetongtarn's fate as prime minister, deputy prime minister and minister of transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit will helm the government in the interim.

He is expected to take the oath of allegiance and begin his role with the newly reshuffled Cabinet on Jul. 3.

Despite her suspension, Paetongtarn will continue serving as culture minister, a role she appointed herself to just a day before her suspension on Jun. 30.

Top images via Ing Shinawatra/Facebook & Ministry of Transport Thailand