Bangkok, June 19 – The government of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is on the brink of collapse following the dramatic withdrawal of a key coalition partner, escalating pressure on the embattled leader to step down after just 10 months in office.
The Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest member of the ruling coalition, announced its departure late Wednesday, citing a serious breach of national integrity and military protocol. The move follows the leak of a private phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former strongman Hun Sen, which has triggered public outrage and reignited longstanding tensions with Thailand's powerful military.
Paetongtarn, 38, a political newcomer and daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now faces a precarious situation with her coalition in disarray, approval ratings sliding, a slowing economy, and a territorial dispute with Cambodia threatening to escalate into military confrontation.
In the leaked June 15 call, Paetongtarn is heard urging Hun Sen to dismiss critical voices within Thailand, including an outspoken army general, and to work toward a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border tensions. While she later defended her comments as part of a negotiation strategy, opposition figures and military circles viewed the remarks as compromising national interests.
On Thursday, Paetongtarn convened a high-level security meeting with the defence minister, the army chief, and the commander of the armed forces. In a brief statement afterward, she apologised for the leak and called for national unity. “We don’t have time for infighting. We have to protect our sovereignty. The government is ready to support the military in all ways,” she said.
With the ruling alliance fragmenting, political uncertainty is intensifying. The United Thai Nation, Chart Thai Pattana, and Democrat parties are holding emergency meetings to decide their next steps. If either the Democrats or UTN withdraw, Paetongtarn will be left without a parliamentary majority, rendering her government effectively untenable.
Meanwhile, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET Index) fell as much as 2.4% in morning trading, hitting its lowest level since early April amid investor jitters over the political fallout.
Call for New Elections Grows
The opposition People’s Party, the successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party that won the most votes in the 2023 election, has renewed calls for a snap election.
“The situation yesterday is the last straw,” said party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. “I urge the prime minister to dissolve parliament. The people deserve a government that emerges from a democratic process and can solve real problems.”
If Paetongtarn resigns, parliament will be tasked with selecting a new prime minister from a limited pool of five remaining candidates nominated before the 2023 general election. Alternatively, the prime minister could dissolve parliament and call fresh elections—an outcome analysts suggest could benefit the opposition.
Military Influence Looms
The controversy has reignited concerns over the influence of the military and the continued shadow cast by Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned to Thailand from self-imposed exile in 2023. Though he holds no official role, Thaksin remains an active political figure, frequently offering policy advice and public commentary—fueling opposition accusations of behind-the-scenes influence.
Thailand’s politically dominant military, which orchestrated coups against Shinawatra-led governments in 2006 and 2014, remains a key player. On Thursday, the Royal Thai Army issued a rare public statement asserting its commitment to democratic principles and national sovereignty.
“The army chief has called on the Thai people to maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army’s steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and to protecting national sovereignty through lawful and institutional mechanisms,” the statement read.
As Paetongtarn’s administration stands on the edge, the next 48 hours are likely to prove decisive for Thailand’s political future.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.