Bhumjaithai Party exits Thailand's coalition government
Bhumjaithai Party on Wednesday (Jun 18) announced its withdrawal from the coalition government, in a major setback for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's ruling coalition.
The party, the second-largest party in the alliance and holder of 69 seats in parliament, said its departure was due to the impact on the country of a leak of a phone call on Wednesday between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, the influential former premier of Cambodia, with which Thailand is involved in a border dispute.
In the phone call, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had blamed her own military for escalating a border dispute with Cambodia, which former Cambodian leader Hun Sen had leaked details of the conversation.
'Bhumjaithai will work with all Thai people to support the army and officials who safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests of Thailand in all ways,' it said in a statement. REUTERS
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Straits Times
19 minutes ago
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'This could be the end of the Shinawatra brand,' said Chulalongkorn University's Dr Thitinan. 'She has really damaged it.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
24 minutes ago
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Scroll up for the next video X Leaked call between Thai PM Paetongtarn and Cambodia'sHun Sen worsens tensions
