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The political landscape of Thailand is once again in turmoil, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra facing a significant crisis that threatens the stability of her government. The daughter of controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn has been in office for less than a year, and her premiership is already being challenged by a series of events triggered by a leaked phone call and exacerbated by fragile coalition dynamics. The situation highlights the deep-seated divisions within Thai politics and the enduring influence of the military, factors that have historically shaped the country's trajectory. The immediate catalyst for the crisis is a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. While the details of the call remain somewhat opaque, it reportedly contained criticisms of an army commander, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang. This criticism has drawn accusations of disloyalty and has significantly strained relations with the military, a powerful institution in Thailand with a long history of involvement in politics. Politicians in Thailand are often cautious not to antagonize the military, given its ability to influence events and even intervene directly in governance. The fallout from the leaked call was swift and consequential. One of Paetongtarn's main coalition partners, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, withdrew from the government, citing the Prime Minister's perceived insult to the country and the army as the primary reason. This withdrawal left Paetongtarn's government with a razor-thin majority in parliament, making it highly vulnerable to further defections or a vote of no confidence. The departure of Bhumjaithai also underscores the uneasy alliance that brought Paetongtarn to power in the first place. Her Pheu Thai party had formed a coalition with conservative, pro-military parties, many of whom had spent years opposing her father's political movement. This alliance was always seen as a marriage of convenience, driven by political pragmatism rather than shared ideology, and the current crisis has exposed the fragility of this arrangement. Further complicating matters, reports emerged that another coalition partner, the United Thai Nation (UTN) party, was also considering withdrawing its support unless Paetongtarn stepped down as Prime Minister. UTN, with 36 seats in parliament, is now the largest party in the coalition after Pheu Thai, and its departure would almost certainly lead to the collapse of the government. The broadcaster ThaiPBS reported that UTN was preparing to issue an ultimatum to Paetongtarn, demanding her resignation or facing the withdrawal of their support. The possibility of a split within UTN further adds to the uncertainty, as even a partial defection could be enough to bring down the government, given its already precarious majority. In response to the crisis, Paetongtarn has attempted to mitigate the damage by engaging in damage control measures. She visited troops in northeast Thailand to meet with Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the army commander she had criticized in the leaked phone call. After the meeting, Paetongtarn claimed that the matter was settled, stating that there was no longer any issue. Boonsin echoed this sentiment, saying that everything was normal. However, it remains to be seen whether this reconciliation will be enough to appease the military and address the underlying concerns about her leadership. Prior to the meeting with Boonsin, Paetongtarn had issued a public apology at a news conference, flanked by military and police chiefs, in an attempt to demonstrate her respect for the armed forces and the country. However, critics have argued that the apology was insufficient and that it highlighted her perceived weakness and deference in the call with Hun Sen. The apology may have also been perceived as a sign of desperation, further undermining her authority and emboldening her political opponents. Beyond the immediate political crisis, Thailand is also facing significant economic challenges. The Thai stock market has plunged to a five-year low, reflecting investor concerns about the political instability and the potential impact on the country's economy. The kingdom is struggling to stimulate its sluggish economic growth, and the threat of trade tariffs from the United States under President Donald Trump adds further uncertainty to the economic outlook. The political crisis is therefore occurring at a particularly vulnerable time for Thailand, as the country seeks to navigate a complex global economic landscape. The possibility of street protests also looms large in the background. Political activists who were involved in large-scale demonstrations that helped topple previous leaders linked to the Shinawatra family have called for Paetongtarn's resignation. These activists have announced plans to hold rallies in central Bangkok, raising the specter of renewed political unrest and further destabilizing the country. The protests, combined with the political maneuvering within the government, create a volatile and unpredictable situation. The history of Thai politics is replete with instances of political instability, military coups, and street protests. The bitter rivalry between the conservative, royalist establishment and the political movement founded by Thaksin Shinawatra has been a defining feature of Thai politics for the past two decades. Thaksin, twice elected Prime Minister, was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and the struggle between his supporters and opponents has continued to shape the country's political landscape. Paetongtarn's rise to power was seen by some as an attempt to revive her father's political legacy, while others viewed it with suspicion, fearing a return to the political divisions of the past. The current crisis underscores the enduring legacy of Thaksin's influence and the deep-seated resistance to his political movement within certain segments of Thai society. Hun Sen, Cambodia's longtime ruler who stepped down in 2023 and had close ties with Thaksin, expressed his disappointment over the leaked phone call, stating that it had "shattered" more than "30 years of heartfelt bonds between our two families". This statement highlights the personal and diplomatic dimensions of the crisis, as it has also strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia. The leaked call has exposed the complex web of personal relationships and political alliances that shape the region's political dynamics. In conclusion, the political crisis in Thailand is a multifaceted challenge that threatens the stability of Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government and the country as a whole. The leaked phone call, the withdrawal of coalition partners, the economic challenges, and the threat of street protests all contribute to a volatile and uncertain situation. The crisis underscores the deep-seated divisions within Thai politics and the enduring influence of the military. Whether Paetongtarn can weather this storm and maintain her position as Prime Minister remains to be seen, but the coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the future of Thailand's political landscape.
Source: Thai PM meets army commander in attempt to defuse political crisis