Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties as it considers a case seeking her removal from office. The move intensifies pressure on her administration, which is already facing challenges on multiple fronts. In a statement, the court confirmed it had accepted a petition filed by 36 senators. The complaint accuses Paetongtarn of misconduct and ethical violations under the constitution, following the leak of a sensitive phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.

While the court deliberates, a deputy prime minister is expected to step in as caretaker leader. Paetongtarn, however, will stay in the cabinet in her new role as culture minister, appointed in a recent reshuffle. The government has not yet issued a response to her suspension. The leaked June 15 phone call—intended to ease rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border—sparked public outrage. In it, Paetongtarn was heard bowing to Hun Sen and criticizing a Thai army commander, a sensitive move in a country where the military holds significant sway. She later apologized, explaining her comments were part of a negotiation strategy.

The incident has weakened her coalition, which now clings to a fragile majority after a key partner withdrew and signaled plans to pursue a no-confidence vote. Protesters are also calling for her resignation. Only 10 months into her tenure, Paetongtarn’s leadership is being tested severely. Her struggles reflect the waning influence of the Pheu Thai Party—long dominated by the Shinawatra family—which has endured numerous military coups and legal setbacks since 2001.

Paetongtarn, 38, entered politics as a newcomer, stepping in after the dismissal of her predecessor Srettha Thavisin, who was removed by the court for appointing a minister with a criminal history. Her administration has also faced difficulties reviving Thailand’s sluggish economy. Public support has dropped dramatically, with a recent poll showing her approval rating plummeting to just 9.2% in June, down from 30.9% in March. Compounding her challenges, her father and political mentor, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is dealing with his own legal troubles. On Tuesday, he appeared in court on charges of insulting the monarchy—an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Thaksin has denied the charges and reaffirmed his loyalty to the royal family.

The case arises from a 2015 interview he gave while living in self-imposed exile. After returning to Thailand in 2023 to serve a sentence for corruption, Thaksin, 75, avoided jail by staying in hospital detention for six months. He was released on parole in February. The Supreme Court is now reviewing the circumstances of that hospital stay and may decide to return him to prison.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

On Thursday (June 26), Thai and Cambodian leaders visited different sections of their disputed land border amid rising tensions linked to a territorial disagreement, as Thailand’s government faces increasing instability. The strained relations follow brief armed clashes late last month in a contested border area, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Since then, both countries have engaged in retaliatory actions, including troop deployments, Cambodia’s halt of fuel and gas imports from Thailand, and Thailand’s partial closure of several checkpoints along their 817-kilometer border.

The dispute has added pressure to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is struggling to revive a weak economy and maintain a fragile coalition in the face of mounting protests and an impending no-confidence vote in parliament. During her visit to the Thai border town of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, across from Cambodia’s Poipet, Paetongtarn was welcomed by supporters, some holding signs of encouragement like "Love You Prime Minister Paetongtarn." She stated her visit aimed to review efforts against transnational crime and assess the effects of strict border controls, which have halted all cross-border traffic, including tourists and trade.

“We’re here to understand how this policy affects people and to find ways the government can assist,” she told officials during a meeting. Earlier in the week, the Thai leader blamed Cambodia for the rise in illegal online scam networks—a claim denied by Cambodian officials. Meanwhile, across the border in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited troops and officials near Thailand’s Surin province. Video footage showed him arriving by helicopter, dressed in military uniform, and addressing local authorities.

Previously, Paetongtarn and Hun Sen enjoyed close relations, partly due to Hun Sen’s longstanding ties with Paetongtarn’s father, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. However, a leaked phone call in which Paetongtarn criticized a senior Thai military official—an act considered taboo in Thailand—has sparked backlash and intensified political challenges for her.

Although she has since apologized, the Bhumjaithai Party cited the call as its reason for exiting the ruling coalition last week. The party has also announced plans to push for a parliamentary no-confidence vote against Paetongtarn and her cabinet. Adding to her troubles, a group of senators has requested Thailand’s Constitutional Court and anti-corruption agency to investigate her conduct, which could result in her dismissal. Meanwhile, anti-government groups are preparing for mass protests beginning Saturday to demand her resignation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Starting next month, Vietnam will eliminate the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement and attempts to overthrow the government, according to a statement from the National Assembly on Wednesday (June 25). This move will spare individuals such as real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, who was previously sentenced to death in a US$12-billion (S$15.3-billion) fraud case.

The National Assembly unanimously approved amendments to the Criminal Code that abolish capital punishment for certain offenses. According to the official Vietnam News Agency, the death penalty will also be removed for crimes such as damaging state property, producing counterfeit medicine, threatening peace, initiating aggressive wars, espionage, and drug possession.

Under the revised law, the harshest punishment for these crimes will now be life imprisonment. Anyone who had already received a death sentence for these offenses but has not yet been executed will have their sentence reduced to life in prison starting July 1. This includes Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, whose death sentence for embezzlement will now be converted. Lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan, who is not involved in Lan’s case, confirmed to Reuters that her sentence would be automatically commuted.

However, capital punishment will still apply to 10 crimes, including murder, treason, terrorism, child sexual abuse, and drug trafficking. Vietnam keeps execution statistics classified, and the number of death row inmates is unknown. Since 2011, the country has used lethal injection as its sole method of execution, having phased out firing squads.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

At least 20 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after a suicide bomber targeted the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila area of Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, June 22, according to health officials and security sources. This marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Islamist-led rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December. The Syrian interior ministry reported that the attacker, identified as an Islamic State member, entered the church, opened fire, and then detonated an explosive vest.

A security official, requesting anonymity, noted that two individuals were involved in the attack, with one of them carrying out the suicide bombing. Another official confirmed this was the first successful church attack by Islamic State in Damascus since Assad’s fall, although there had been several previous attempts. The blast also left 52 people wounded, according to Syria's state news agency citing the health ministry. A livestream shared by Syria’s civil defense group, the White Helmets, revealed scenes of devastation inside the church, with bloodstained floors, shattered benches, and damaged masonry. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership in January following Assad’s ouster, has pledged to safeguard minority groups.

Greece strongly condemned the attack. “We unequivocally denounce the vile terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus,” said the Greek foreign ministry, calling on Syrian transitional authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the protection of Christian and other religious communities. Despite losing territorial control and years of counterterrorism operations against it, Islamic State continues to exploit security vulnerabilities. The group has a history of targeting religious minorities, including a deadly 2016 bombing of Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab during Assad’s rule.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

On July 1, Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties while it reviews a case calling for her removal. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the possible outcomes with Bangkok-based political and business advisor Jay Harriman.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Singapore-based agribusiness giant Wilmar International is once again under scrutiny as Indonesian prosecutors challenge a prior acquittal related to alleged irregularities in securing palm oil export permits. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the potential impact on the company with Aaron Choo, Senior Assistant Director for Special Projects and Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Asia’s top security summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, was marked this year by rising geopolitical tensions, key absences, and a series of discreet high-level conversations behind the scenes. Held annually in Singapore, the summit serves as a vital platform for defence officials from around the world to meet, exchange views, and build strategic relationships. However, this year's edition took on a particularly charged atmosphere amid ongoing rivalry between the United States and China.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

An Air India flight headed to Birmingham has reportedly crashed at the airport in Ahmedabad, a city in western India, according to television reports, though no details on casualties have been confirmed. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss the incident with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Senior Aviation Consultant for Asia-Pacific at Frost & Sullivan.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.