Thai court to rule on Paetongtarn Shinawatra removal after leaked call

Thailand's Constitutional Court is set to rule Friday on whether to remove suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after a leaked telephone conversation with Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen sparked public outrage and a diplomatic crisis, a decision that could unseat the country's youngest premier and trigger fresh political instability. The 39 year old was suspended last month while the court considers a petition accusing her of breaching ethical standards by appearing to side with Cambodia during a tense border dispute.

In the recording, made public in the midst of escalating clashes, Paetongtarn addresses Hun Sen as uncle, promises to "take care" of any requests and criticises a senior Thai military commander, remarks that opponents say undermined national interests. Paetongtarn has apologised, saying the comments were a negotiating tactic intended to defuse tensions and save lives. The leaked call preceded a five day border fight that local reports say killed dozens and displaced large numbers of people, with estimates of those uprooted varying from tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands reported elsewhere.

The case was brought by a group of...