Investigation into Alleged Constitutional Violation: Paetongtarn Attends Hearing

Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn attended an inquiry hearing at Thailand’s Constitutional Court on the morning of the 21st regarding allegations of breaching the constitution.

At around 9:30 a.m. local time, Paetongtarn arrived at the Constitutional Court, smiling and greeting the media. About an hour later, the hearing began, with Paetongtarn being questioned over a controversy triggered by a phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.

The Constitutional Court summoned two individuals that day to be questioned: Paetongtarn as the defendant and Thailand’s National Security Council Secretary-General Chatchai. Chatchai also attended the hearing.

The Constitutional Court will rule on whether Paetongtarn committed a constitutional violation on the 29th of this month.

In mid-June, a recording of a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen about the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border was leaked, sparking controversy in Thailand. On July 1, the Constitutional Court announced it would accept a petition to investigate whether Paetongtarn had breached the constitution and immediately suspended her from performing prime ministerial duties.