(UPDATE) BANGKOK — Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ruling that she violated ethics rules in a phone call with a high-ranking Cambodian official.

The decision ends the term of the nation’s youngest prime minister and delivers the latest blow to the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty that has dominated Thai politics for more than two decades.

In a 6-3 vote, the judges found that Paetongtarn’s conduct in a June 15 call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen compromised national interests.

Thai Court: PM Shinawatra violated ethics rules

The call, which became public just weeks before a deadly border conflict erupted between the two countries, sparked outrage in Thailand. Audio of the conversation revealed Paetongtarn addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and appearing to criticize a Thai army general as an “opponent” while discussing the tense border situation.

Complaint alleged alignment with Cambodia

The complaint against Paetongtarn lodged by a group of senators alleged that “due to a personal relationship that appeared aligned with Cambodia, (she) was consistently willing to comply with or act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side.”

It further charged that her reference to the Thai general “lacked demonstrable honesty and integrity, and seriously violated or failed to comply with ethical standards.”

However, the court said in its ruling that Paetongtarn intended to uphold Thailand’s national interests and tried to prevent serious conflicts that could affect its sovereignty and border security. It concluded that her actions did not clearly appear to be dishonest. The majority opinion nevertheless found that her conversation constituted a breach of ethical standards., This news data comes from:http://www.gyglfs.com

Paetongtarn, 39, has defended herself by arguing that her familiar tone during the call was a negotiating tactic aimed at de-escalating tensions. She apologized, but insisted that it did not damage national security.

After the court’s ruling Friday, she said she would accept it but insisted that she was innocent and had acted with the sole purpose of saving lives.

A leaked phone call

Audio of the call was leaked online by Hun Sen, who was Cambodia’s prime minister for 38 years until his son Hun Manet took over the job in 2023. The phone call came as long-standing border tensions escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief fracas with Thai troops in disputed territory in May.

Thai Court: PM Shinawatra violated ethics rules

In late June, the two countries engaged in five days of combat that killed dozens of people and displaced more than 260,000.

The friendly tone of Paetongtarn’s call raised hackles among many Thais because of her family’s history.