Thai PM Apologizes Amid Political Turmoil After Leaked Call

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued an apology on Thursday following the leak of a phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which has sparked widespread public outrage and threatened the stability of her government. The leaked call has led to significant political turmoil, with her main coalition partner, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, withdrawing its support. The party cited Paetongtarn's conduct in the leaked call as damaging to the country's dignity and the army's reputation.

In response to the growing pressure, Paetongtarn held a press conference alongside military leaders and senior figures from her Pheu Thai party. She expressed her regret for the leaked audio, which had caused public resentment. The conversation, which was recorded, involved discussions about an ongoing border dispute with Hun Sen, who stepped down as Cambodian prime minister in 2023 but remains influential. Paetongtarn referred to the Thai army commander in the northeast as her opponent, a remark that drew sharp criticism on social media.

The withdrawal of Bhumjaithai's 69 MPs has left Paetongtarn with a slim majority in parliament, making a snap election a likely scenario. Two other coalition parties, the United Thai Nation and Democrat Party, are scheduled to hold meetings to discuss the situation. Paetongtarn's apology and display of unity with the military are seen as efforts to retain the support of these parties, as losing either could lead to the collapse of her government and potentially trigger a new election or coalition formation.

Thailand's military, which has historically played a significant role in the country's politics, reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and national sovereignty. The army chief emphasized the importance of national unity in defending the country's sovereignty. The kingdom has experienced a dozen coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, and the current crisis has fueled speculation about another potential coup. If Paetongtarn were to be ousted in a coup, she would be the third member of her family to be removed from office by the military, following her aunt Yingluck and father Thaksin Shinawatra.

The main opposition People’s Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 election but was prevented from forming a government by conservative senators, has called for Paetongtarn to announce an election. The party's leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, described the incident as a leadership crisis that has eroded public trust. The Palang Pracharath party, which led the government until 2023 and is headed by General Prawit Wongsuwan, criticized Paetongtarn as weak and inexperienced, unable to manage the country's security. Hundreds of anti-government protesters, including veterans of the royalist, anti-Thaksin "Yellow Shirt" movement, demonstrated outside Government House, demanding Paetongtarn's resignation.

Paetongtarn, 38, assumed power in August 2024 at the head of a fragile coalition between Pheu Thai and a group of conservative, pro-military parties. Tensions within the coalition escalated in the past week as Pheu Thai attempted to remove Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul from the interior minister position. The loss of Bhumjaithai's support leaves Pheu Thai's coalition with just a few more votes than the 248 needed for a majority. The ongoing conflict between the conservative pro-royal establishment and Thaksin's political movement has dominated Thai politics for over two decades. Thaksin, 75, remains popular among the rural population due to his populist policies in the early 2000s, but is despised by Thailand's powerful elites who view his rule as corrupt and authoritarian. The current Pheu Thai-led government has already lost one prime minister, former businessman Srettha Thavisin, who was removed by a court order last year, paving the way for Paetongtarn's rise to power.