According to Thai media reports, the suspended Thai Prime Minister Peitongtan recently submitted a written statement to the Thai Constitutional Court, arguing that her conversation with the President of the Cambodian Senate, Hongson, in mid-June was “completely conducted within the diplomatic framework” and that the related controversial expressions were谈判技巧. She also appealed to the court to restore her position as prime minister. Thai media, citing sources familiar with Peitongtan, reported that Peitongtan herself may testify in person this week.
Peitongtan calls for restoration of her prime ministerial position
According to Thai media reports, based on the written statement submitted by Peitongtan to the Thai Constitutional Court, Peitongtan stated that all dialogues in the “conversation with Hongson” were based on the recommendations and information of the national security department, with the goal of easing tensions at the border and avoiding the escalation of conflicts.
She called on the Constitutional Court to adopt all facts and evidence and revoke the decision to suspend her from her duties.
Peitongtan specifically explained the expression in the conversation, “You can tell me directly what you want, and I will arrange it,” as a “利益导向型” negotiation technique aimed at guiding the other party to propose conditions first and creating space for subsequent negotiations, rather than a promise to accept all requirements.
She also emphasized that she would discuss any conditions proposed by Cambodia with the Thai security department before responding.
Peitongtan emphasized that her conversation with Cambodia was entirely within the diplomatic framework, and did not involve any secret transactions or attempts to harm national interests, nor did it involve seeking personal or familial gains.
On July 1, Peitongtan attended an内阁会议after leaving the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by La Heng/Xinhua News Agency)
The Thai Constitutional Court issued a notice on August 13th, stating that it will make a ruling on the case of Peitongtan’s alleged constitutional violations on August 29th, and will summon two witnesses, Peitongtan herself and the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, to testify in court on August 21st. The notice stated that if the case applicant or defendant wishes to submit a closing argument, they must do so in written form to the Constitutional Court before August 27th.
According to Thai media reports, when asked whether Peitongtan will appear in court personally,泰国总理秘书长 Pengming Lesuli said he believes Peitongtan will make her own decision, but “she is likely to appear in court.”
Previously, Pengming said on August 4th that Peitongtan had officially submitted defense materials regarding her constitutional violations to the Constitutional Court. Pengming also rejected rumors that Peitongtan would resign before the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
In mid-June, a recording of a conversation between Peitongtan and the President of the Cambodian Senate Hongson regarding the situation at the Thailand-Cambodia border caused controversy in Thailand. On July 1st, the Thai Constitutional Court announced that it had accepted a petition to investigate Peitongtan’s possible constitutional violations and decided to suspend Peitongtan from exercising her prime ministerial powers.