FALLOUT OF PHONE CALL
Paetongtarn’s government was slashed to a tiny majority last week after the leaked phone call triggered the departure of the conservative Bhumjaithai party.
The party, which was the second largest in the alliance, said the phone call had “damaged the sovereignty and well-being of the country and Thai Army”.
Critics slammed the 38-year-old for insulting the military – a powerful force in Thai politics – and for being too deferential, calling for her resignation.
The Thai prime minister apologised last week and managed to shore up her coalition. However, a group of conservative senators has submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court calling for her to be sacked.
The court may decide on Tuesday whether to accept the case, but its president, Nakharin Mektrairat, told reporters this week that it would be up to the nine judges to decide the timeframe.
If the court accepts the case, it may suspend her from office while it considers it, with a ruling expected to take several months.
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