Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party announced its departure from the governing coalition on June 18, citing concerns over Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s leadership following a leaked audio recording.
The clip, featuring a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, has sparked controversy due to comments perceived as critical of Thailand’s military.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Bhumjaithai, the coalition’s second-largest party, said it could no longer support a government whose actions had, in its view, compromised public trust and the nation’s international standing. The party emphasized its continued support for institutions that protect Thailand’s sovereignty and suggested that recent events had damaged relations with both the armed forces and the general public.
The recording reportedly included remarks by Paetongtarn regarding an army commander in the context of a sensitive border issue. The prime minister has since claimed her words were misinterpreted and expressed disapproval over the leak. However, Bhumjaithai maintained that accountability was necessary.
Tensions between Bhumjaithai and the ruling Pheu Thai Party have been simmering for months, primarily over control of the Interior Ministry, a powerful department responsible for provincial governance and local administrative budgets. Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has argued the portfolio was promised to his party during 2023 coalition talks, a claim Paetongtarn denies.
Sources within Bhumjaithai said the party’s ministers had already begun preparing for their exit ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle. The party stated that all its ministers had submitted their resignations, effective June 19, and warned of broader consequences if a new cabinet list was advanced without addressing their concerns.
Despite Bhumjaithai’s withdrawal, the coalition retains a working majority. Pheu Thai holds 142 seats, and the broader alliance still commands 261 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, compared to the 234 held by the opposition led by the People’s Party.
The decision to withdraw was formalized following a meeting of Bhumjaithai’s executive committee, which voted unanimously in favor of the move. The party has indicated that it remains open to working for national interests but believes the current coalition framework no longer reflects the agreements made during its formation.
Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister Paetongtarn met earlier this week but gave conflicting accounts of their discussion. Meanwhile, the fallout from the leaked call continues to dominate Thai political discourse.
