Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Moves to Ease Tensions Following Leaked Call and Coalition Strain
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is poised to hold talks with a senior army leader today in an effort to mitigate a political crisis ignited by a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The conversation, which surfaced online earlier this week, labeled Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang as her "opponent," a comment that has jeopardized her coalition government.
The 38-year-old leader, who is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, issued a public apology on Thursday following backlash from coalition allies and the military. During her apology, flanked by high-ranking military and police officials, Paetongtarn acknowledged the call's detrimental impact on national unity and the offense it caused to the Thai military.
The crisis intensified when the Bhumjaithai party, a major conservative coalition partner, retracted its support on June 18, citing the call as an affront to the nation and its army. This withdrawal left Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party-led coalition with a slender majority in Parliament.
Nonetheless, some stability emerged when the Democrat Party, another crucial conservative ally, announced its decision to continue in government. In a Friday morning statement, the party expressed its commitment to "help resolve the challenges the country is currently facing." The Chartthaipattana party also confirmed its decision to stay, following late-night discussions with other coalition partners.
Despite these affirmations, Paetongtarn's administration remains precarious. Her scheduled meeting with Lt Gen Boonsin in northeastern Thailand, an area experiencing ongoing border tensions with Cambodia, is considered a vital step towards reconciliation. The leaked call, which reportedly discussed this border issue, led to a formal protest from Thailand to Cambodia for diplomatic protocol violations.
Critics of Paetongtarn have accused her of appearing submissive during the call with Hun Sen, while her derogatory remark about a military commander has further strained civilian-military relations. In Thailand, where the military wields considerable political influence, such comments can have grave implications.
Although minor protests and demands for her resignation or new elections took place on Thursday, support from certain coalition members and her public apology might help her navigate the current turmoil. Nonetheless, with a slim majority and a fragile alliance with traditionally pro-military parties — many of which have previously clashed with her father — her grip on power remains tenuous.
Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, continues to exert influence over Thai politics from behind the scenes. While he remains popular among rural voters due to his pro-poor policies, the conservative elite views his administration as corrupt and destabilizing.
As Thailand faces internal instability and economic challenges, including potential trade tariffs from the United States, attention is focused on Paetongtarn's forthcoming actions. Her ability to mend relations with the military and maintain coalition cohesion will likely determine her government's survival in the coming weeks.
