Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's youngest prime minister, was suspended Tuesday while the Constitutional Court considers a petition for her removal.

Her suspension comes after a protest in Bangkok over the weekend called for her ouster following a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former leader, Hun Sen, over an escalating border dispute.

Her perceived deference to Hun Sen ignited public anger in Thailand. Paetongtarn was accused of undermining the country's national interests.

For her opponents, Paetongtarn's suspension is "their first victory," according to Puangthong Pawakapan, an associate professor of political science at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University.

"Paetongtarn has destroyed the legitimacy of her Pheu Thai party [to run the country], especially after her call with Hun Sen," she told DW.

"The parliament will vote for a new prime minister and Pheu Thai could probably hold out a bit longer, but not long, no more than three months," she predicted.

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Paetongtarn now has 15 days to present her defence. In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit will serve as acting leader.

Paetongtarn........

© Deutsche Welle