Suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra testified in court Thursday over allegations she breached ethics laws in handling a border dispute with Cambodia — a case that could cost her the premiership.
Paetongtarn, daughter of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is accused of failing to defend Thailand’s interests during a June 15 phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. Weeks later, five days of border clashes killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people.
Critics said she appeased Hun Sen, referring to him as “uncle,” while criticizing a Thai general. The leaked call sparked uproar, though Paetongtarn insisted it was a negotiating tactic.
The Constitutional Court suspended her on July 1 pending a ruling. Her testimony Thursday was given behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, Thaksin faces a court verdict Friday in a monarchy insult case tied to a 2015 interview, carrying up to 15 years in jail. The billionaire, ousted in 2006, returned in 2023 after years abroad and received a royal pardon.