ISLAMABAD: Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a severe political setback as the Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest in her coalition, withdrew on Wednesday.
Holding 69 seats in the House, Bhumjaithai’s exit slashes the government’s majority to a razor-thin margin, intensifying instability for the young premier.
The move follows the leak of a phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former premier Hun Sen amid a tense border dispute between the two countries.
Coalition Crisis Amid Border Dispute
Bhumjaithai cited national integrity and sovereignty concerns as the reason for their departure, pledging support to Thailand’s army and officials safeguarding territorial interests.
The leaked call revealed Paetongtarn asking Hun Sen not to heed voices within Thailand, including a senior general overseeing the border forces, which sparked outrage and accusations of compromising national honor.
With troops mobilized on both sides of the border, fears of escalation are mounting, and the premier’s diplomatic handling of the dispute has drawn heavy criticism compared to the military’s stronger stance.
Political Fragility and Economic Challenges
Paetongtarn, who became Thailand’s youngest prime minister less than a year ago, now faces an uncertain future as her coalition hangs by a thread.
The government must also confront a struggling economy and potential steep U.S. tariffs that threaten growth if trade negotiations fail.
Questions now arise whether the remaining coalition partners will remain loyal or follow Bhumjaithai’s exit, putting the premier’s leadership in jeopardy.
The political turmoil intensifies as the country watches closely how Paetongtarn navigates both external conflict and internal division.
Her commitment to peacefully resolve the border dispute while defending Thailand’s sovereignty will be tested in the coming weeks.
