Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended amid outrage over leaked phone call

An ethics investigation into Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under way and she could end up being dismissed.

The country's constitutional court took up a petition from 36 senators, who claimed dishonesty and a breach of ethical standards, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her.

The prime minister's call with Cambodia's former leader, Hun Sen, sparked public protests after she tried to appease him and criticised a Thai army commander - a taboo move in a country where the military is extremely influential.

Ms Shinawatra was trying to defuse mounting tensions at the border - which in May resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier.

Thousands of conservative, nationalist protesters held a demo in Bangkok on Saturday to urge her to step down.

Her party is clinging on to power after another group withdrew from their alliance a few weeks ago over the phone call. Calls for a no-confidence vote are likely.

Deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over temporarily while the court looks into the case.

The 38-year-old prime minister - Thailand's youngest ever leader - has 15 days to respond to the probe. She has apologised and said her approach in the call was a negotiating tactic.

The popularity of her government has slumped recently, with an opinion poll showing an approval rating of 9.2%, down from 30.9% in March.

Ms Shinawatra comes from a wealthy dynasty synonymous with Thai politics.

Her father Thaksin Shinawatra - a former Manchester City owner - and aunt Yingluck Shinawatra served as prime minister before her - in the early to mid 2000s - and their time in office also ended ignominiously amid corruption charges and military coups.

-SKY NEWS