Political Turmoil in Thailand Following Leaked Phone Call with Cambodia
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces mounting pressure to resign amid political turmoil triggered by leaked recordings of negotiations with Cambodia's former leader.
Overview
- Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under pressure to resign due to leaked recordings of negotiations with Cambodia's Hun Sen.
- Nationalist protesters gathered outside the Government House demanding Shinawatra's resignation after the leaked phone call sparked outrage.
- The leak led to the Bhumjaithai party withdrawing from the coalition, significantly weakening Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party's power.
- An armed confrontation over a border dispute resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, further escalating tensions.
- Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut is calling for a parliamentary dissolution and new elections in light of the political crisis.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the political crisis surrounding Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as a significant fallout from a leaked phone call, emphasizing public outrage and calls for resignation. The tone reflects a critical perspective on her leadership, highlighting nationalistic sentiments and the implications for diplomatic relations with Cambodia.
Paetongtarn apologized for a leaked phone call that caused the biggest partner in her ruling coalition, the Bhumjaithai party, to pull out of the government.
A recent border dispute resulted in an armed confrontation on May 28 in a disputed 'no man's land', leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen posted the full 17-minute phone call on his Facebook page in response to a leaked shorter version.
Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as 'uncle' in a recording where they discussed lifting border restrictions after a deadly clash.
The backlash stemmed from her referring to a Thai army commander as 'an opponent' in relation to a clash in the border area.
Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry submitted a protest letter over a leaked recording with the Cambodian ambassador, citing it as a breach of diplomatic etiquette and trust between neighboring countries.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party urged Paetongtarn to dissolve Parliament and call for a new election.
Nationalist and antigovernment protesters gathered outside the Government House on Thursday, calling for Paetongtarn to resign.
Articles (4)
Center (2)
"…Calls for her resignation grew after a major coalition partner pulled out and further destabilized the already rocky government led by her Pheu Thai Party."
ABC News·16d·"…The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house."
Associated Press·16d·FAQ
The leaked phone call included negotiations between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen concerning a worsening border dispute, which sparked nationalist protests and political backlash in Thailand.
The political fallout from the leak led to the Bhumjaithai party withdrawing from the coalition government, significantly weakening Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party's power.
An armed confrontation over the border dispute resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, escalating tensions further between the two countries.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut is calling for the dissolution of parliament and the holding of new elections in response to the political turmoil triggered by the leaked phone call and the subsequent fallout.
History
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