BANGKOK: The ruling coalition in Thailand faced a crisis on Wednesday (Jun 18) when the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the alliance. This came after a phone call was leaked, featuring Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra talking with Hun Sen, the former leader of Cambodia, leaving her government in a precarious situation.
The Bhumjaithai Party, which is the second largest party in the coalition with 69 members in parliament, claimed that the leaked conversation harmed the country’s sovereignty and the Thai Army’s reputation.
“We urge Paetongtarn to take responsibility for her actions that have caused a loss of dignity for the country, the people, and the army,” said a statement from Bhumjaithai.
A representative from Paetongtarn’s administration did not respond when asked for a comment about the party’s exit.
The leaked call, in which Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and expressed worry over the political consequences of a recent border conflict with Cambodia, circulated widely on the internet. During the clashes last month, one Cambodian soldier lost their life.
This situation arises amid increasing tensions within the coalition. Recently, Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party attempted to remove Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, from his position as interior minister, straining the relationship between these former rivals who had become uneasy allies.
With Bhumjaithai’s exit, the governing bloc barely holds a majority with only a few seats above the 248 required in parliament. If any other party decides to leave, the government may need to call for an early election.
Political newcomer Paetongtarn, 38, is the daughter of the prominent former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She stepped into the spotlight less than a year ago, becoming Thailand’s youngest prime minister after her predecessor was ousted by a court.
Her situation is becoming increasingly unstable, and focus will likely shift to whether the remaining 10 coalition parties will also decide to follow Bhumjaithai’s lead.
During the leaked conversation from Jun 15, Paetongtarn mentioned facing domestic pressure and asked Hun Sen not to heed “the other side” in Thailand, which she indicated included a vocal Thai general responsible for the army in the border region.
