Thai PM claims she has coalition support after resignation calls
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has faced criticism for her perceived mishandling of a border row with Cambodia, including over a phone call with the country's former leader, Hun Sen, the audio of which was leaked last Wednesday.
After the initial leak, Hun Sen released the full audio, in which Paetongtarn appeared to kowtow before the veteran Cambodian politician and to denigrate a senior Thai military commander – crossing red lines for her critics and some former allies.
A major coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, quit the ruling alliance soon after the leak, overshadowing Paetongtarn's premiership and a parliamentary majority cobbled together by her Pheu Thai party.
'The country must move forward. Thailand must unite and push policies to solve problems for the people,' Paetongtarn, the daughter of influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, posted on X after a meeting with coalition partners, including the United Thai Nation (UTN) party.
Prior to the post, the UTN had looked set to demand her resignation in return for backing the ruling coalition.
The government and the country's influential military share a common position, to back democratic principles and follow the provisions of the constitution, said the 38-year-old leader, a political neophyte who was appointed prime minister last year.
Activists, among them groups with a history of influential rallies against the Shinawatra administration, have scheduled a protest in Bangkok starting on Jun 28 to demand Paetongtarn's resignation. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
China supports Thailand-Cambodia reconciliation, offers help
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he hopes Thailand and Cambodia rebuild mutual trust and restore friendship. BEIJING – China expressed support for Thailand and Cambodia in resolving their border dispute and offered to provide assistance based on the wishes of both nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Aug 14. Mr Wang said China supports the South-east Asian countries in strengthening dialogue, and hopes they rebuild mutual trust and restore friendship, according to two statements from his ministry. He met his Thai and Cambodian counterparts separately on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in China's south-western Yunnan province, readouts of the meetings showed. Thailand and Cambodia have wrangled for decades over border territory and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May. Clashes had turned deadly in the worst fighting in more than a decade before a ceasefire was struck in late July . Mr Wang spoke about China's readiness to accelerate the China-Thailand railway construction, encourage more investments from Chinese enterprises in Thailand, and to ensure the stability of regional production and supply chain. It is hoped that Thailand will provide more policy support and facilitation for Chinese enterprises, he told Thailand's Mr Maris Sangiampongsa. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength In his meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Mr Wang sounded support for Cambodia maintaining political stability, and said China is appreciative of the country's crackdown on online gambling and wire fraud. He also expressed hopes that Cambodia will continue strong measures for joint efforts in the region against cross-border criminal activities. For years, criminal networks have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to scam compounds across South-east Asia, including many along the Thai-Myanmar border, where victims are forced to work in illegal online schemes, according to the United Nations. China in 2025 has stepped up efforts with the region to stymie the scam operations after cases involving Chinese victims blew up on domestic social media. REUTERS
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
China says supports Thailand, Cambodia reconciliation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi walks between meetings during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 11, 2025. MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo BEIJING - China expressed support for Thailand and Cambodia in resolving their border dispute and offered to provide assistance based on the wishes of both nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. Wang said China supports the Southeast Asian countries in strengthening dialogue, and hopes they rebuild mutual trust and restore friendship, according to two statements from his ministry. He met his Thai and Cambodian counterparts separately on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in China's southwestern Yunnan province, readouts of the meetings showed. Thailand and Cambodia have wrangled for decades over border territory and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May. Clashes had turned deadly in the worst fighting in more than a decade before a ceasefire was struck in late July. Wang spoke about China's readiness to accelerate the China-Thailand railway construction, encourage more investments from Chinese enterprises in Thailand, and to ensure the stability of regional production and supply chain. It is hoped that Thailand will provide more policy support and facilitation for Chinese enterprises, he said to Thailand's Maris Sangiampongsa. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength In his meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Wang sounded support for Cambodia maintaining political stability, and said China is appreciative of the country's crackdown on online gambling and wire fraud. He also expressed hopes that Cambodia will continue strong measures for joint efforts in the region against cross-border criminal activities. For years, criminal networks have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to scam compounds across Southeast Asia, including many along the Thai-Myanmar border, where victims are forced to work in illegal online schemes, according to the United Nations. China this year has stepped up efforts with the region to stymie the scam operations after cases involving Chinese victims blew up on domestic social media. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Thai court to rule on Aug 29 whether to disqualify suspended PM Paetongtarn
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Thailand's suspended PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra was said to have blamed the Thai army for escalating tensions with Cambodia. BANGKOK – Thailand's Constitutional Court will rule on Aug 29 whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, previously suspended from duty, should be disqualified for allegedly violating ethical standards in her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. The court will read out the verdict at 3pm , it said in a statement on Aug 13. The court previously suspended Ms Paetongtarn from office on July 1 until it ruled on the case. The case stems from a complaint lodged by a group of senators around comments Ms Paetongtarn made in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen about a border stand-off. In the call, Ms Paetongtarn was heard blaming the Thai army for escalating tensions by restricting border checkpoints, which sparked protests in Thailand and calls for her to resign. She later apologised for the remarks. If found guilty, Ms Paetongtarn will be permanently removed from office, a development that is set to deepen an ongoing political crisis in Thailand. A leadership vacuum will also come at a critical time for national security as the country seeks to maintain a fragile ceasefire and resolve the border conflict with Cambodia through bilateral dialogue. The verdict on Ms Paetongtarn will come at a politically sensitive moment for the Shinawatra family, which leads the ruling Pheu Thai party. Her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is scheduled to face a ruling on Aug 22 in a nearly decade-old royal defamation case that could carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years. BLOOMBERG
