On July 1, the Thai Constitutional Court unanimously accepted a petition from senators opposing Paetongtarn Shinawatra's continued role as prime minister for consideration and temporary suspension of her position. The decision was made with 7 votes in favor and 2 votes against.
Ms. Paetongtarn remains in the cabinet because at her new cabinet approval ceremony on June 30, she was given a dual role as Secretary of Culture. The royal decree was announced on the morning of July 1.
The petition, initiated by 36 senators, requires the court to investigate the recording of a leaked phone call between Ms. Paetongtarn and President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen, and requires her to suspend her from office pending a court ruling.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungringreangkit was appointed to the role of acting prime minister.
The Constitutional Court issued a petition related to Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution.
Article 170 refers to the conditions for terminating the term of ministers and Article 82 is among those conditions.
Article 82 allows senators to request the Constitutional Court to suspend and end the terms of parliament members.
On June 30, the Constitutional Court required Ms. Paetongtarn to submit a written explanation within 15 days.
