Political party Pheu Thai denies speculation that former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may rejoin their ranks following his resignation.
The Constitutional Court hearing for suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to commence on August 21, 2025. Paetongtarn will attend the court as the defendant in a case alleging ethics violations related to a leaked phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The hearing, scheduled to start at 10:30 am local time, will see additional witnesses summoned for August 21. The court has set the verdict date for August 29, 2025. Paetongtarn submitted her closing statement by August 25 as required by the court, moving the deadline forward.
Paetongtarn herself will monitor the verdict's reading from Government House on August 29, accompanied by Pheu Thai Cabinet members and MPs who will show support there. Her lawyer will attend the hearing in court personally.
The coalition has stated that if Paetongtarn is removed, the ruling coalition remains intact, with Pheu Thai having an alternative prime ministerial candidate ready, and it would take about two to three weeks for a new prime minister to be elected by the House.
The leaked conversation has caused skirmishes that resulted in loss of life among soldiers and civilians and strained diplomatic ties. In the leaked audio clip, Paetongtarn Shinawatra made comments critical of the Second Army Region commander and tried to appease Hun Sen.
Former senator Somchai Sawangkarn and lawyer Nitithorn Lamlua have urged the Constitutional Court to broadcast the testimony of Ms Paetongtarn and Mr Chatchai Bangchuad on Thursday. Somchai believes that the hearing should be made public, arguing that the leaked conversation has had far-reaching ramifications and compounded border tensions. If the proceedings are televised, the public will see for themselves whether the testimony is honest, according to Mr Somchai.
Pheu Thai continues to back suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, dismissing speculation of nominating Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as a candidate for premier. The speaker has also stated that no one can influence the judges of the Constitutional Court.
Interestingly, the hearing coincides with Ms Paetongtarn's 39th birthday. Despite her suspension from duty since July 1, Paetongtarn will attend the Constitutional Court hearing on Thursday.
In a related development, the Pheu Thai Party will not reunite with the Bhumjaithai Party, its former coalition partner. The ethics case against Paetongtarn Shinawatra arises from a leaked audio clip of a private conversation with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen. The speaker believes in Ms Paetongtarn's innocence.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
