The Constitutional Court of Thailand has ordered a temporary suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties amid serious allegations of misconduct and ethical violations following a controversial phone conversation with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The suspension was confirmed on Tuesday, placing Thailand's political landscape in a state of uncertainty.

The allegations stem from a petition by thirty-six senators who have accused PM Shinawatra of failing to uphold her constitutional responsibilities, allegedly favoring Cambodian interests over Thailand's due to personal connections. This accusation centers on an alleged breach of Sections 170(1)(4), 160(4), and 160(5) of the Thai Constitution, which address the integrity and loyalty expected of public officials.

In response to the suspension, PM Shinawatra issued a public apology, maintaining that her actions were in the best interest of national security and the well-being of Thailand. "My method may not have pleased everyone, but I did everything with 100 percent effort for the country’s well-being. I had no personal agenda; I only sought to prevent turmoil, loss of life, and further conflict," she stated during a press conference.

The leaked phone call, which has been confirmed as authentic by Shinawatra, reportedly shows her in a seemingly compliant discussion with Hun Sen, including inappropriate comments about a Thai military commander and references to Hun Sen as "uncle," highlighting her personal ties with the Cambodian leader. These revelations have significantly agitated the public and political spheres in Thailand, exacerbating the already tense relations following a recent armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia along their shared border.

Deputy PM and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has been appointed as the acting prime minister. He is set to lead the new cabinet, which will be sworn in before Thailand’s king this coming Thursday. This change in leadership occurs as both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to de-escalate their recent border conflict, although the situation remains volatile with ongoing threats of military action from both nations.

As Thailand navigates through this political turmoil, the focus now shifts to the ethics investigation, which will determine the future of PM Shinawatra's political career and the broader implications for Thai-Cambodian relations.