The latest political turmoil, which caused a selloff in the nation’s stocks, was triggered by the defection of a major ally following weeks of infighting, as well as comments the prime minister made in a leaked phone call appearing to criticize the Thai army’s role in a border dispute with Cambodia.
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.
