(KPL/VNA) Suspended Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra has asked the Thai Constitutional Court to give her more time to file a defence statement in the ethics case that could lead to her dismissal, secretary-general to the Prime Minister’s Office Prommin Lertsuridej said.

The 15-day period for filing a statement expires on July 17, said Prommin. The court has not yet responded to the request or specified how much more time it would give.

Earlier, on July 1, the court suspended Paetongtarn from prime ministerial duties after a group of 36 senators submitted a petition accusing her of violating ethical standards over her remarks in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The court case is the biggest threat to Paetongtarn’s nascent political career and her less than year-old government.

She came to power in August last year after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was ousted in a similar ethics-related case over the appointment of a cabinet minister with a criminal record.

Paetongtarn faces disqualification and removal from office if the court finds her guilty.

The suspended premier also faces a separate investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the same allegations.

If the panel determines that there is sufficient evidence, it may formally charge Paetongtarn and refer the case to the Supreme Court for adjudication, Bangkok Post reported.

Past rulings by the court in similar cases have led to lifelong bans on Thai politicians from holding or running for public office.

KPL