After the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's phone call with Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen was leaked, Thailand's second-largest party, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew from the Pheu Thai-led ruling coalition.
According to foreign media reports, the Bhumjaithai Party issued a statement on the 18th announcing its withdrawal from the ruling coalition, citing the impact of the leaked conversation between Srettha and Hun Sen on the nation.
The Bhumjaithai Party holds 69 seats in the parliament and is the second-largest party in Thailand. The party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, hinted on the 17th that the party was prepared to leave the coalition.
This move could pose a significant challenge to the Pheu Thai Party led by Srettha. After the Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal, the Pheu Thai-led coalition government still holds 260 seats in the parliament, just a slim majority, which could create obstacles when implementing significant legislation.
On the other hand, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed briefly at a disputed border area in late May, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Border tensions between the two nations have remained high since then. On the 15th, Srettha and Hun Sen held a phone call to discuss the border dispute, but the recording of the call was later leaked.
Recording leak suggests bowing to Hun Sen
According to the Bangkok Post, the leaked recording reveals Srettha addressing Hun Sen as “Uncle” and asking him not to believe “our adversaries,” such as “the 2nd Army Region Commander Bunsing,” as those remarks “do not reflect our intent.”
On the 18th, Srettha admitted that her voice was indeed in the recording and stated that she would no longer engage in any private talks with Hun Sen. She also reiterated to the media that she has no conflicts with Thailand’s military.
She accused Hun Sen of intentionally leaking the recordings to boost his personal standing. “From now on, due to trust issues, I will not have private discussions. I do not want the Thai people to be misled or provoked.”
Hun Sen claims recording was submitted for 'transparency'
Hun Sen, father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chairman of the Senate, confirmed on social media that he held a 17-minute-and-6-second phone call with Srettha on June 15. To avoid misunderstandings or deliberate distortion and to ensure internal transparency, the conversation was recorded in its entirety and distributed as per standard practice to about 80 relevant personnel, including the central committee, the senate, the national assembly, organizations handling border affairs, and the military.
He speculated that someone among these groups, dissatisfied with Srettha's remarks, leaked the recording.