|
Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of billionaire ex-Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is accused of failing in her duties
by not standing up for the country properly in a June 15 call
with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen to discuss tensions over
territory claimed by both nations. Despite her efforts, the two
countries in late July engaged in five days of armed border
clashes, resulting in dozens of deaths and the displacement of
more than 260,000 people.
Critics said she went too far in appeasing Hun Sen, Cambodia's
former leader, and damaged Thailand’s image and interests by
referring to him as “uncle” while seemingly criticizing a Thai
army general in charge of forces along the border.
The real damage was done when Hun Sen, who had been a long-time
friend of Thaksin, leaked the call, causing an uproar in
Thailand. Paetongtarn apologized but said she didn’t do any
damage to Thailand, arguing that her comments were a negotiating
tactic.
The Constitutional Court, however, voted unanimously to review a
petition accusing Paetongtarn of a breach of ethics and voted
7-2 to immediately suspend her on July 1 until it issues its
ruling. Her testimony Thursday was heard behind closed doors.
Her father Thaksin will face a legal judgment of his own Friday,
when Bangkok’s Criminal Court is expected to issue a verdict on
whether he insulted Thailand’s monarchy, an offense punishable
by three to 15 years in prison. The case involved a 2015
interview he gave while in South Korea.
Thaksin, who was ousted from power by a military coup in 2006,
was previously convicted of charges of conflict of interest and
abuse of power but avoided imprisonment by fleeing abroad.
He returned to Thailand only in 2023, serving just a brief
sentence in a comfortable hospital suite before being paroled
and pardoned.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
