Thailand’s coalition government has been in turmoil after the audio of a conversation between former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Payanthan Shinawatra was leaked. The British media outlet BBC reported that the opposition has been demanding the prime minister’s resignation since the leaked 17-minute phone conversation went viral on social media.
Shinawatra was originally in talks with Hun Sen over a border dispute. Tensions between the two countries increased after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash on the Thai-Cambodian border in May. As a result, both countries have imposed multiple sanctions against each other.
Fruit, vegetables, electricity and internet supplies from Thailand to Cambodia are currently suspended. At the same time, Cambodia has banned the broadcasting of Thai television, dramas and films. The problem began with the clash on the border.
In the leaked audio, the Thai prime minister is heard saying he has dismissed or is going to dismiss a military commander. Shinawatra said the officer “wanted to calm down” the situation and made some “wrong statements”. He described the conversation as a “negotiation tactic”.
Reuters reported that the call was made from Shinawatra’s own phone and he was unaware that it was being recorded or leaked. However, he said the current government wants to work in full coordination with the military.
However, the opposition sees the call as an insult to the Thai military and is demanding Shinawatra’s resignation. They allege that the call puts Thailand’s security and sovereignty into question.
Meanwhile, the crisis deepened on Wednesday when the Bhumjaithai, the second largest party in Shinawatra’s ruling coalition, left the coalition, weakening the Pheu Thai Party’s position in parliament.
However, even after Bhumjaithai’s departure, the Pheu Thai Party has retained its majority. But if another party leaves the coalition, they may lose the constitutional number to form a government.
In this situation, Shinawatra’s party is holding an emergency meeting with two other parties in the coalition today (Thursday). However, analysts believe that if the talks are not fruitful, the Thai Prime Minister may have to resign.