Latest news with #BhumjaithaiParty
The Star
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Star
People's Party rules out forming government with Anutin as PM
BANGKOK: People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (pic) stated on Friday (June 20) that there is no possibility of the People's Party and Bhumjaithai Party forming a government with Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister. Natthaphong made these comments following the political turmoil sparked by the leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. He noted that Paetongtarn has lost public confidence, and resignation is not a viable option under the current circumstances. He stated that the only solution is to dissolve the parliament, adding that with the remaining prime ministerial candidates, he believes none can provide a way forward for the country. He suggested that coalition parties would negotiate with Pheu Thai to secure as many ministerial positions as possible, rather than focusing on the country's issues. Despite this, he acknowledged that the current Pheu Thai government remains united but would operate with a fragile majority, undermining investor confidence. Natthaphong commented that the opposition might hold a no-confidence debate against the government, and the opposition is ready to fully perform its role as a check on power, pressuring the prime minister to dissolve parliament and return power to the people. Asked whether the People's Party would form a government with Bhumjaithai Party and nominate Anutin as Prime Minister, he firmly replied, 'Not at all. Our prime ministerial candidate list has been clear from the start—we cannot support anyone for the role at this time to resolve the situation.' On the issue of unity, Natthaphong expressed that it should always be present, but he opposed using the current internal political conflict and the national situation to fuel populist, nationalist sentiments that could call for extra-constitutional actions. He stated that the prime minister's visit to Ubon Ratchathani to work with the 2nd Army Region Chief was appropriate and emphasised the importance of maintaining civilian government leadership over the military. He expressed hope that the prime minister would perform her duties well to restore public confidence. When asked if ongoing protests might lead to actions outside the law, he stated that while people want a change of leadership, there are various ways to achieve it. 'The method we disagree with most is the call for extra-constitutional power leading to a coup,' he said. 'If the people truly want a way out, I believe the most appropriate solution is a new election, allowing the people's voice to decide the country's future.' When asked about claims from the government side regarding a "snake in the grass" within the People's Party, Natthaphong clarified that he had previously invited anyone with such claims to reveal names for fairness, so that the concerned parties could respond. He personally expressed confidence in all his fellow party members and reaffirmed that there is no truth to the allegations. He further stated that the formation of a government depends on the equation at hand, noting that at present, either the People's Party, Pheu Thai, and Bhumjaithai Party must unite to secure a majority and move forward. Natthaphong emphasised that the People's Party's stance remains clear: it will not join the government. - The Nation/ANN
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Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Paetongtarn stays as PM as partners jockey for ministerial posts
BANGKOK -- The withdrawal of a key partner from Thailand's ruling coalition has opened the way for smaller parties to demand more influence, analysts say, as Paetongtarn Shinawatra stays in the prime minister's post, and with her coalition now holding a slim House majority. The current coalition now comprises 11 parties, led by Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party. After the Bhumjaithai Party's exit announcement on Wednesday over a leaked audio clip of a conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, other parties called urgent meetings to discuss whether to remain loyal to the Thai prime minister.
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Thai PM under mounting pressure as ruling coalition hangs by a thread
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks during a press conference following a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between her and Cambodia's Hun Sen, the influential former premier of Cambodia, amid a border dispute between the two countries, at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Panumas Sanguanwong BANGKOK — The government of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was hanging by a thread on Thursday following the withdrawal of a major coalition partner, building pressure on her to resign after just 10 months in power. Political neophyte Paetongtarn, the 38-year-old daughter of influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is facing dwindling popularity, a stuttering economy and a territorial row with Cambodia that has sparked fears of military clashes. The second-biggest partner in the alliance, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew from the coalition late on Wednesday, citing damage caused to Thailand's integrity, sovereignty and its army after an embarrassing leak hours earlier of a phone call between the premier and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen. The United Thai Nation, Chart Thai Pattana and Democrat parties announced separate meetings on Thursday to decide their next steps. A decision to withdraw by either the Democrats or UTN would leave Paetongtarn with a minority government and in an untenable position. The premier has not commented on Bhumjaithai's exit. Paetongtarn was seen entering the government's headquarters on Thursday, with police surrounding the complex in preparation for possible protests against her. Thai stocks .SETI fell as much as 2.4% in morning trading to the lowest level since April 9. In the leaked June 15 call, Paetongtarn is heard pressing former Cambodian leader Hun Sen for a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute, and urging him not to listen to "the other side" in Thailand, including an outspoken Thai army general who she said "just wants to look cool." She later told reporters that was a negotiation tactic and there were no issues with the military. Paetongtarn met top security officials on Thursday to discuss the crisis with Cambodia. Flanked by the defense minister, army chief and armed forces commander, she apologized over the leak and called for unity. "We don't have time for infighting. We have to protect our sovereignty. The government is ready to support the military in all ways," she told reporters. 'The last straw' If Paetongtarn were to resign, parliament must convene to choose a new prime minister to form the next government, from a pool of only five remaining eligible candidates nominated before the 2023 election. Another option would be to dissolve parliament and call an election, a move that could favour the opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament and the country's most popular party according to opinion polls. The People's Party, the reincarnation of the Move Forward Party that won most votes in the 2023 election but was disbanded last year by a court, said Thailand was paralyzed by problems that only a new election could solve. "The situation yesterday on the leaked phone call is the last straw," People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told a press conference. "I want the prime minister to dissolve parliament. I think the people want a government that can solve problems for the people, a legitimate government that comes from a democratic process." Paetongtarn's administration has also been dogged by criticism from opponents about the influence of her divisive tycoon father Thaksin, who holds no official position but often comments on policy and has maintained a high profile since his return from self-exile in 2023. The turmoil and the army's assertiveness over the border dispute with Cambodia have again put the spotlight on Thailand's politically powerful military and its animosity with the Shinawatra family, whose governments it overthrew in 2006 and 2014 coups. The army on Thursday issued a statement affirming its "commitment to democratic principles" while emphasising Thai unity. "The chief of army has called upon the Thai people to maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army's steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and ... protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms," it said. — Reuters
Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Thai PM under growing pressure to quit after leaked phone call
The government of Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was hanging by a thread on Thursday following the withdrawal of a major coalition partner, building pressure on her to resign after just 10 months in power. Political neophyte Paetongtarn, the 38-year-old daughter of influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is facing dwindling popularity, a stuttering economy and a territorial row with Cambodia that has sparked fears of military clashes. The second-biggest partner in the alliance, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew from the coalition late on Wednesday, citing damage caused to Thailand's integrity, sovereignty and its army after an embarrassing leak hours earlier of a phone call between the premier and Cambodia's influential former leader, Hun Sen. The United Thai Nation (UTN), Chart Thai Pattana and Democrat parties announced separate meetings on Thursday to decide their next steps. A decision to withdraw by either the Democrats or UTN would leave Ms Paetongtarn with a minority government and in an untenable position. READ MORE The premier has not commented on Bhumjaithai's exit. Ms Paetongtarn was seen entering the government's headquarters on Thursday, with police surrounding the complex in preparation for possible protests against her. Thai stocks fell as much as 2.4 per cent in morning trading to the lowest level since April 9th. In the leaked June 15th call, Ms Paetongtarn is heard pressing former Cambodian leader Hun Sen for a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute, and urging him not to listen to 'the other side' in Thailand, including an outspoken Thai army general who she said 'just wants to look cool'. [ Travelling solo in Cambodia: Nervous, chafing and covered in mosquito bites - I loved the chaos Opens in new window ] She later told reporters that was a negotiation tactic and there were no issues with the military. Ms Paetongtarn met top security officials on Thursday to discuss the crisis with Cambodia. Flanked by the defence minister, army chief and armed forces commander, she apologised over the leak and called for unity. 'We don't have time for infighting. We have to protect our sovereignty. The government is ready to support the military in all ways,' she told reporters. If Ms Paetongtarn were to resign, parliament must convene to choose a new prime minister to form the next government, from a pool of only five remaining eligible candidates nominated before the 2023 election. Another option would be to dissolve parliament and call an election, a move that could favour the opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament and the country's most popular party according to opinion polls. The People's Party, the reincarnation of the Move Forward Party that won most votes in the 2023 election but was disbanded last year by a court, said Thailand was paralysed by problems that only a new election could solve. 'The situation yesterday on the leaked phone call is the last straw,' People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told a press conference. [ 'The scene was like the end of the world': Thailand reels from earthquake Opens in new window ] 'I want the prime minister to dissolve parliament. I think the people want a government that can solve problems for the people, a legitimate government that comes from a democratic process.' Ms Paetongtarn's administration has also been dogged by criticism from opponents about the influence of her divisive tycoon father Thaksin, who holds no official position but often comments on policy and has maintained a high profile since his return from self-exile in 2023. The turmoil and the army's assertiveness over the border dispute with Cambodia have again put the spotlight on Thailand's politically powerful military and its animosity with the Shinawatra family, whose governments it overthrew in 2006 and 2014 coups. The army on Thursday issued a statement affirming its 'commitment to democratic principles' while emphasising Thai unity. 'The chief of army has called upon the Thai people to maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army's steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and ... protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms,' it said. – Reuters
Bloomberg
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Thai Leader's Fate Hangs in Balance as Allies Weigh Future
The political fate of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra remained uncertain Thursday after mounting opposition calls and street protests for her to resign following a leaked phone call in which she criticized her army. The government was at risk of collapse after the exit of the second-largest party in the coalition, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, on Wednesday. Three parties in the 10-member alliance, on whom the fate of the coalition hung, met on Thursday, with two of them saying they would stick with Paetongtarn's administration. The other one didn't disclose its decision.
