Bangkok (TDI): Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting pressure to resign after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen reignited a long standing border dispute and caused political instability at home, leading to the resignation of a key coalition partner.
In the 17-minute recorded clip, posted on Facebook by Hun Sen, Paetongtarn seemed to doubt a top Thai military commander and promised to “take care” of the Cambodian border, thus questioning national loyalty and military morale.Â
This controversial exchange follows weeks after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a deadly confrontation along the Thai-Cambodian border in May, which has increased tension between the two neighboring nations.
In the recording, Paetongtarn characterized the Thai military man as a person who “just wanted to look cool and said things which are not helpful.”
Afterwards, she explained that she was defending her words as being a “negotiating technique”; however, critics have accused her of discrediting the Thai army and jeopardizing national interests.Â
On Wednesday, the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest party in Paetongtarn’s government coalition, announced its departure dealing a major blow to the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s grip on power.
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Two other coalition parties have been reported to be holding emergency sessions to consider their destiny in the coalition.
“This is not a diplomatic gaffe, it’s a betrayal,” said an opposition Member of Parliament in a Bangkok press conference. “The Prime Minister needs to resign.” Aside from the scandal, the critics also pointed out the excessive respectful tone of the call, in which Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and promised to personally solve his issues.Â
As the political crisis deepens, the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has reached an all-time low in over 10 years. Cambodia has retaliated by imposing a blanket embargo on Thai imports, refused border crossing, and even suspended the broadcast of Thai dramas on its television stations.
The intercepted phone call, and the resulting domino effect that it has unleashed, has not only revealed the internal cracks in the Thai administration but also threatened regional stability.
If the Prime Minister fails to reassert control over her divided coalition, her administration might be destined for a swift and violent conclusion.
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