Thai PM may seek court deadline extension in leaked call case

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The defence team of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (centre) for the leaked call case had already been formed, said the PM’s secretary-general.

PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK – Embattled Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra may not be able to submit her written defence to the Constitutional Court in time and will likely seek an extension of the deadline, said the PM’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej on July 14.

Mr Prommin was speaking in reference to the Constitutional Court case filed by 36 senators, who are calling for Ms Paetongtarn’s removal over

an audio clip of her conversation

On July 1, the Constitutional Court suspended Ms Paetongtarn from her duties as prime minister pending a review of the petition.

The court gave her 15 days to submit a written defence.

The senators allege that the leaked audio clip reveals an ethical violation, claiming that Ms Paetongtarn appeared to side with Cambodia in an ongoing border dispute.

“We are preparing the written defence, but if it cannot be completed in time, we will ask the court for an extension,” Mr Prommin said.

Mr Prommin declined to confirm whether former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam would head Ms Paetongtarn’s legal defence team.

However, he noted that the defence team had already been formed, though details remain undisclosed.

He stated that the defence would demonstrate Ms Paetongtarn’s intent to protect Thailand’s national interests during her conversation with Mr Hun Sen.

Mr Prommin also accused Mr Hun Sen of exploiting the situation by leaking the conversation and