Court suspends Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate leaked phone call

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now.

Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a petition from 36 senators amid controversy over a leaked phone call.

On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 to suspend Paetongtarn pending a 15-day investigation into allegations of dishonesty and ethical misconduct related to a leaked June 15 call with Cambodian politician Hun Sen.

In the conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle," and criticized a Thai military commander as "an opponent."

The Bhum-jai-thai Party, Paetongtarn's key coalition partner, withdrew support after the leak, prompting renewed public protests demanding her resignation.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed as the acting Prime Minister.

While Paetongtarn transfers to the culture ministry from July 3, she is barred from exercising executive power during the proceedings.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting a parallel investigation that could escalate to a Supreme Court case, potentially leading to a political ban if she's found guilty.