Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party said Tuesday it would bring a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her government, adding to the pressure on the beleaguered premier. It comes after the party withdrew from last week’s government coalition and amidst heightened tensions with neighboring Cambodia.
The motion, scheduled for next week, will be the first big parliamentary test for Paetongtarn since she was publicly and politically criticized for a leaked telephone call with Cambodia’s ousted Prime Minister Hun Sen. During the call, she blamed a Thai senior military commander and paid respects to Hun Sen a move that has invited scathing criticism in a nation in which the military plays powerful influence.
Bhumjaithai, which has 69 seats in parliament, will require a minimum of 30 other lawmakers to approve the motion when parliament resumes on July 3. The party’s spokesperson, Boontida Somchai, stated that it is negotiating with opposition parties to support the move.
The aftermath of the call has also seen legal repercussions. A group of senators have asked the Constitutional Court and the national anti-graft agency to probe Paetongtarn’s actions, and potentially have her removed. Anti-government demonstrations are also set to start Saturday.
Even as the tempest raged around her, Paetongtarn maintained that her coalition government was solid and had endorsed a cabinet reshuffle and $3.5 billion in infrastructure spending. Pheu Thai Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong said the government still has a parliamentary majority and is not concerned.
In the midst of political crisis, tensions with Cambodia are escalating. Thailand has shut all of the border gates across seven provinces over security concerns following a fatal clash in May. Trade and tourism have been interrupted, and Thailand has also promised to switch off electricity and internet services to suspected scam centres on the other side of the border charges Cambodia rejects.
