Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn gets more time to file defence in ethics case
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The court suspended Ms Paetongtarn on July 1 and initially gave her 15 days to respond to a petition filed by a group of senators.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Constitutional Court has granted suspended premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra an extension until July 31 to submit her defence in a high-profile ethics case that could see her ousted over the handling of a border dispute.
Ms Paetongtarn’s legal team is preparing a written defence, according to Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the Prime Minister.
She will not be submitting any additional evidence, he said, as her defence will focus on her good-faith efforts to resolve the conflict and the accuracy of her statements.
The court suspended Ms Paetongtarn on July 1 and initially gave her 15 days to respond to a petition filed by a group of senators.
The complaint accuses her of breaching ethical standards following remarks made in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Ms Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, could be disqualified and removed from office if the court rules against her.
She came to power in August 2024 after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was ousted in a similar ethics-related case over the appointment of a Cabinet minister. Bloomberg
