Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party: No confidence vote will target Thai PM and cabinet

Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party: No confidence vote will target Thai PM and cabinet

Thailand's political landscape has been significantly altered following the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition. The party cited a controversial phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen as the primary reason for their decision [1].

The Bhumjaithai Party, which holds 69 seats in the coalition, withdrew from the government on Wednesday, June 15, 2025. This move has left Prime Minister Paetongtarn's coalition with a razor-thin majority and waning public support. The party's decision came amidst rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed border area [2].

The fallout from the leaked phone call has been severe. The Bhumjaithai Party accused the prime minister of compromising national interests and the reputation of the Thai military. They have called for Paetongtarn to take political responsibility for the incident [1]. The party has also urged the prime minister to show responsibility for making the country lose its integrity and honor to the people and the army [2].

Following the withdrawal, eight ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party resigned from their positions, effective June 19-20, 2025. The resignation was confirmed in a statement signed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn and published on the Royal Gazette website [1].

The situation has left the Thai government on shaky ground. The focus has now turned to the remaining 10 coalition partners, as speculation grows over whether more defections could follow. Thailand's economy is also grappling with a sluggish pace, and the looming threat of steep US tariffs if ongoing trade negotiations fail [2].

Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Paetongtarn has reaffirmed her commitment to a peaceful resolution with Cambodia, while insisting that Thailand will take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty. She has also come under criticism for her more measured diplomatic approach, which stands in contrast to the Thai military's hardline stance [2].

The leaked phone call, dated June 15, 2025, revealed that Paetongtarn told former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that she was under intense domestic pressure and urged him not to heed "the other side" in Thailand. This reference is believed to be aimed at a vocal Thai general commanding forces in the disputed border area [2].

The Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal has set the stage for a potential no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her cabinet. The party has called for political responsibility and has urged the prime minister to address the concerns raised by the leaked phone call.

References:

[1] https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501702894/the-bhumjaithai-party-withdraws-from-the-thai-government-over-pm-paetongtarns-call-with-hun-sen/
[2] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40051526