Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has firmly ruled out resigning or dissolving parliament despite mounting political pressure, according to Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, a senior Pheu Thai Party official.
The announcement comes as Thailand’s ruling coalition faces collapse following the withdrawal of its second-largest partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, over a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. In the controversial recording, the prime minister appeared to disparage a Thai military commander while deferring to the Cambodian strongman, sparking outrage among government allies and the public.
The political crisis deepened when Bhumjaithai Party abandoned the ruling alliance on Wednesday, with another key partner, the United Thai Nation Party, reportedly preparing to demand Paetongtarn’s resignation as a condition for continued support.
The prime minister, daughter of exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, has apologized for the diplomatic misstep but remains silent on the government’s precarious position. With Pheu Thai’s parliamentary majority now hanging by a thread, the turmoil risks destabilizing Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy amid ongoing public discontent.
Political tensions are set to escalate further as activist groups announced plans for mass demonstrations in Bangkok starting June 28, demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation. The protest organizers include veteran anti-Shinawatra factions with a history of toppling governments led by the prime minister’s powerful family.
The leaked conversation with Hun Sen has particularly incensed nationalists and military circles, reviving longstanding tensions between Thailand’s civilian leadership and its influential armed forces.
In a decisive Facebook post, Minister Sorawong quoted Paetongtarn’s commitment to “continue performing her duty to resolve various crises,” dismissing speculation about an early parliament dissolution. The statement shows the government’s determination to weather the storm despite the border dispute fallout and coalition fractures.
Meanwhile, there are fears that the scandal could erode Thailand’s diplomatic standing while emboldening opposition forces ahead of potential street protests that have historically triggered political upheavals in the kingdom.
