Suspended Thai PM submits defense statement to constitutional court

Suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has submitted her formal statement to the Constitutional Court defending against allegations of ethics violations, Secretary General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej said on Monday.

Paetongtarn has completed and endorsed all supporting documents, and her representatives have already delivered them to the court, Prommin told reporters at the government house ahead of the deadline for submission.

Prommin dismissed the rumors regarding Paetongtarn's resignation before the court ruling, saying, "We are proceeding according to the law and affirming our righteousness."

Last week, the court set Monday as a final deadline for Paetongtarn to tender the defense statement, after granting two extensions, citing her request to seek additional time to complete the explanation.

On July 1, the court suspended Paetongtarn after accepting the case petitioned by a group of senators seeking her removal from office over a leaked phone call on the border issue with Cambodia.