Thailand court removes PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethical breach

The court ruled that her 'phone call' with Cambodia’s former leader breached ethics rules, a judgement that ushered in a new political turmoil in the country.

Paetongtarn, who was Thailand's youngest prime minister, becomes the sixth premier from or backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family to be removed by the military or judiciary in a tumultuous two-decade battle for power between the country's warring elites, reported The Bangkok Post.

Her father, Thaksin's rule ended during the 2006 coup.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra was the youngest PM to serve Thailand.

Her tenure lasted only a year.

In its verdict, the court said Ms Paetongtarn violated ethics in a leaked June telephone call, during which she appeared to kowtow to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen when both countries were at the brink of an armed border conflict, reported The Bangkok Post.

The fighting between the two nations erupted weeks later and lasted for five days.

After the phone call got leaked, the former PM apologised and said she was trying to avert the war.

During a press conference, she had said that she intended to take a gentle approach to dealing with Hun Sen as a negotiating strategy to protect the sovereignty of her country.

The complainants argued that she failed to act properly as the PM.

Her talk of personal and family relationships with Hun Sen gave the appearance of siding with Cambodia, they were as quoted by The Bangkok Post.

A court had suspended the PM on July 1 from the prime ministerial duties.

Following a reshuffle, she remained in the Cabinet as culture minister.