Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra asked the Constitutional Court for a 15-day extension to the deadline for the submission of her defence paperwork in a case surrounding her controversial phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Meanwhile, latest source reports suggest that she may find herself in the crosshairs of another law enforcement agency.
- The PM's Secretary-General Prommun Lertsuridej said that 'we've requested an extension today, but by how long is up to the court. It's within our rights to do so, as we couldn't prepare the statement in time.' The Court is yet to respond to the request has discretion in deciding on the length of the potential extension, as the Prime Minister prepares to fight a case that could lead to her dismissal.
- The Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn in her duties as Prime Minister on July 1, initially giving her 15 days to submit a written response. The case was triggered by a leaked phone call between herself and Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen amid an ongoing border dispute, in which she appeared to be kowtowing to her interlocutor and criticising a Thai military commander, which generated strong backlash at home.
- While nominally head of government, Paetongtarn remains in the shadow of her father Thaksin Shinawatra, a business mogul and founder of the ruling Pheu Thai party. A similar arrangement is in place in Cambodia, where Hun Sen continues to wield considerable influence, despite allowing his son Hun Manet to succeed him as Prime Minister and himself moving to the position of Senate President.
- Reuters reported that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has now also set its sights on Paetongtarn and set up an investigation panel. This was corroborated in several source reports circulated in local media at the start of this week, although the NACC has refused to confirm any imminent probe. Should the Commission launch an investigation, it would further undermine the position of the beleaguered Prime Minister.