Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post
In a significant escalation of Thailand's political crisis, opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has called on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives. This demand follows the fallout from a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has intensified tensions within the Thai government.
The incident centres around a controversial call where Prime Minister Paetongtarn reportedly referred to a Thai military commander as the "opposite side" during discussions with Hun Sen. The conversation, which took place after a border skirmish on May 28, involved the commander's suggestion to close border crossings with Cambodia— a measure the government ultimately softened to merely reducing checkpoint operating hours.
The leak has sparked a political storm, leading to the abrupt withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition government. Additionally, Paradorn Prisnananthakul, a Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong, resigned from his role as the second Deputy House Speaker, further destabilising the coalition.
Addressing Parliament, Natthaphong criticised the government's inability to fulfil its promises and tackle major issues such as constitutional reform, economic challenges, and military bureaucracy restructuring. He highlighted that the current coalition, led by the Pheu Thai Party, has been plagued by unwieldy cross-party alliances and broken pledges.
"The credibility of Prime Minister Paetongtarn is in tatters due to this leak," Natthaphong stated, urging her to dissolve the House and return the mandate to the people. He warned that failure to address the situation might lead to pressure groups inciting unrest and jeopardising democracy.
Natthaphong and his fellow MPs issued a clear demand: the prime minister must dissolve the House and step down, allowing for a new election to restore legitimacy. "Thailand needs a government formed through democratic mechanisms to effectively solve the country's problems," he asserted.
The opposition leader also cautioned against potential escalations, reminding the public that a military coup is not a viable solution. He emphasised the importance of maintaining democratic processes, even amidst growing public dissatisfaction and potential protests.
In the wake of the leak, Hun Sen has denied any involvement in its dissemination but offered to provide the entire audio to Thai authorities for greater transparency. This development comes as a critical moment for Prime Minister Paetongtarn, whose ability to navigate this crisis could have lasting implications for her leadership and the coalition's stability.
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