Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Faces Calls to Resign
The leak has dealt a significant blow to Paetongtarn's government, with the conservative Bhumjaithai party pulling out of the coalition, and the opposition calling for her to dissolve parliament. The crisis has sparked nationalist fervor in both Thailand and Cambodia, and has led to legal threats and economic uncertainty, adding to the pressure on Paetongtarn's government.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting pressure to resign after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen sparked widespread anger, with critics accusing her of compromising the country's national interests and showing deference to Hun Sen.
The leaked call, which has been widely circulated, appears to show Paetongtarn criticizing a senior Thai military commander and referring to Hun Sen as "uncle", leading to accusations that she is undermining the country's army and prioritizing her personal relationships over national interests. The leak has led to the withdrawal of a key coalition partner, Bhumjaithai, from Paetongtarn's ruling coalition, leaving her with a slim majority in parliament.
The situation has sparked nationalist fervor in both Thailand and Cambodia, with thousands of people joining rallies in support of their governments. The Thai government has summoned the Cambodian ambassador to protest the leak, but the situation remains uncertain, with Paetongtarn's future as prime minister hanging in the balance. The opposition has called for Paetongtarn to dissolve parliament and warned against a military coup, which has been a threat in Thai politics since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.
Paetongtarn has apologized for the leaked call, but the damage may already be done. The crisis has also led to legal threats, with at least three petitions filed against her over the leaked call. The Thai economy is also struggling, with a fall in Chinese visitors hitting tourism and the threat of US tariffs looming, adding to the pressure on Paetongtarn's government.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Paetongtarn will be able to weather the storm and maintain her position as prime minister, or whether the mounting pressure will ultimately lead to her resignation. The fate of her government and the future of Thai politics hang in the balance, as the country navigates this difficult and uncertain period.