The Bhumjaithai Party of Thailand withdrew from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government on Wednesday. This is a major blow to the Premier, who is now left with a ruling coalition with only a slim majority. The Bhumjaithai Party is the second largest in the alliance and holds 69 House seats. According to the party, its departure from power is largely due to the impact on the nation of a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between the Premier and Hun Sen, the influential former Premier of Cambodia. Thailand is involved in an escalating border dispute with Cambodia.

The exit of the ruling party will now leave Shinawatra and her government hanging by a thread, ready to face declining popularity as it battles to revive its blooming economy in the face of the global market. Attention will now also shift to whether the Premier’s remaining 10 coalition members will follow her party or will further succumb to defection.

Border Dispute

Cambodia and Thailand, both Southeast Asian neighbours who have historically had friendly relations with each other, have now developed a distressed relationship. In recent weeks, bilateral relations have come to a dangerous new low that threatens to reignite a historic land rivalry based on property rights. Cambodian soldiers were killed in a clash along the border last month, for which the Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra issued a strong rebuke, signaling that a peaceful resolution likely remains distant.

“Thailand united, we will not tolerate treatment, accusations, or threats from any party. Our country also has dignity. Our country is also strong,” said the Thai Prime Minister, responding to Cambodia’s retaliation with a cross-border embargo. Cambodia now claims it will take the dispute to the International Court of Justice, an institution which Thailand does not recognise the jurisdiction of.