Leaked Hun Sen clip blamed for Paetongtarn and Pheu Thai's popularity plunge: Nida Poll
BANGKOK: The director of Nida Poll has pointed to a leaked audio clip involving Cambodian strongman Hun Sen as the main reason behind the sharp drop in popularity of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai Party.
The situation, he noted, has created an opening for the Bhumjaithai Party to gain ground.
Audio leak triggered voter backlash
Dr Suvicha Pau-aree, director of the National Institute of Development Administration's opinion survey centre (Nida Poll), said the leaked conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was a key factor behind the slump in popularity.
The audio, released just before the poll was conducted from June 19 to 25, revealed Paetongtarn criticising the commander of Thailand's Second Army Area in an apparent effort to curry favour with Hun Sen.
The backlash among Thai voters, fuelled by nationalistic sentiment, followed swiftly.
Poll numbers reveal sharp drop
The Nida survey showed Paetongtarn's popularity plunging from 30.9% in the first quarter to just 9.2%. Similarly, support for Pheu Thai dropped from 28.05% to 11.52%.
Suvicha said such a dramatic decline could not be explained by general dissatisfaction with government performance alone. 'If it were just policy-related disappointment, the numbers wouldn't have fallen this drastically,' he stated.
Unclear if damage is permanent
Suvicha noted that the full impact of the clip leak would become clearer in the third-quarter poll. 'We need to wait and see whether this is a temporary backlash or a lasting shift in public opinion,' he said.
Still, he warned that regaining lost ground would be difficult unless Paetongtarn could find a way to politically outmanoeuvre Hun Sen, given the current surge in Thai nationalism.
Bhumjaithai emerges as biggest gainer
While Pheu Thai stumbles, Bhumjaithai Party and its leader Anutin Charnvirakul appear to be gaining momentum. According to the same survey, Anutin's popularity rose from 2.85% to 9.64%, while Bhumjaithai's party rating jumped from 3.35% to 9.76%.
Suvicha said Bhumjaithai seems to be attracting former red-shirt supporters disillusioned by Pheu Thai. If an election were held now, he believes Bhumjaithai could win up to 100 seats in the House of Representatives.
He added that if the party performs well in opposition, it could enjoy even greater support in future polls. - The Nation/ANN
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (June 29, 2025)
Malaysia: * King grants audience to new IGP Mohd Khalid * No Malaysians recruited into Bangladeshi militant network, says Home Ministry * Travel agency, boat operator in Perhentian capsize incident violated several laws, says Tiong * Violent squall hits Penang and Kedah * Two children among three dead after boat capsizes off Pulau Perhentian * Lecturer reported missing while diving in Pulau Tioman found safe * Bursa Malaysia to trade in cautious mode with upside bias this week * Stronger ringgit, Fed shift could draw capital to Malaysia * Sabah PKR prepares for potential changes amid GRS video reports * Ringgit to trade around RM4.22 to RM4.23 and be firmer against the US dollar from Monday (June 30) * Postpone expanded SST to January, urges ACCCIM * Woman, boyfriend detained over teen daughter's rape * JPJ: Three out of five transport companies fail to meet safety standards * Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman to be charged with graft on June 30 * Seat belts mandatory on all express, tour buses from July 1 * Five students released as MRSM bullying case probe nears completion * Ex-ticketing clerk claims trial to 10 counts of CBT involving RM114,630 / Engineer loses RM275,000 to online 'Moomoo' investment scam Singapore singer Tanya Chua poses for photographs as she arrives for the 36th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, June 28, 2025. -- AP Photo/Billy Dai Singapore: * Singapore increases security posture amid Iran-Israel tensions * Self-driving public shuttles to hit Punggol roads in Singapore by fourth quarter * Three arrested for drug offences following police chase and car crash in Singapore's Jalan Besar * Cashback for purchases via Singapore's DBS PayLah app at hawker stalls, heartland shops returns from July 12 * Life After... being homeless and jailed seven times: Singaporean social worker now helps others break free from crime * The US-Israel-Iran saga: Uncertain truce must last - The ceasefire could mark the beginning of de-escalation in the region Indonesia: * Prabowo: Indonesia can achieve energy self-sufficiency in six years * Pilgrim flights delayed by Iran-Israel attacks arrive in Indonesia * Indonesian transport ministry acts to prevent flight disruptions amid Middle East conflict * Three killed after boat carrying soccer team capsizes in Batam * Women in drug trade sparks alarm - growing number of women caught in trade raising alarm bells in Indonesia Thailand: * UN agency pushes AI ethics standards as US-China tech rivalry deepens * Former Thai leader Sondhi plays clip of ex-PM Sarit, blasts Thaksin and Hun Sen in fiery speech * Thai PM Paetongtarn submits new cabinet list to the King * Thailand: Over 600 sacks of cannabis found in durian and coconut orchards * Thai PM visits flood-hit region as 3,700 homes inundated Philippines: * Flight to Tawi-Tawi returns to Zamboanga after technical issues: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines * 20% of Filipinos experienced hunger in April 2025: report * British woman claims record run across Australia A worker paints the facade of a building in Singapore . - REUTERS/Edgar Su Vietnam: * Aviation authority urges heightened flight safety following aircraft collision in Hanoi * Four dead and three injured in recycling facility fire in nortern Vietnam * Vietnamese PM Chinh calls for breakthroughs in Vietnam–UK economic cooperation Myanmar: * Flag handover marks Myanmar as host of Mekong Tourism Forum in 2026 * Peace forum in Naypyidaw discusses stopping military conscription during election period * Iran voices 'serious doubts' over Israel commitment to ceasefire Cambodia: * Thai-Cambodia border closed to cargo traffic * Hun Manet: Thailand asked to reopen border, insists Cambodia didn't start closure * Deported Cambodian blacklisted as 'national security threat' Laos: * Laos reaffirms commitment to fighting drug abuse * Lao government eyes measures to ease effects of electricity price hike Brunei: * Brunei trade balance increases 3.4 per cent in April * Youth market promotes entrepreneurial spirit in Brunei Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates after winning the Austrian Grand Prix with second place driver and teammate Oscar Piastri, also of McLaren. -- REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger AseanPlus: * Malaysian musicians and artistes unhappy three main music collective bodies taking action against new govt guidelines * Push to protect 'Tambun pomelo' brand through IP registration * Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry draws strong response after three-year hiatus * Oslo police announce rape and sexual assault charges against son of Norwegian crown princess * China activates emergency response to flooding in three provincial-level regions * Unruly passenger handed over to security after mid-air altercation on Air India flight * China issues yellow alerts for rainstorms, many places are expected to be hit badly on Sunday evening (June 29) * Godiva ordered by Hong Kong govt to halt dark chocolate ice cream sale after bacteria find * Hong Kong's new bounce, five years post-national security law * White House says US reaches 'understanding' with China on rare earth shipments * China opposes any tariff deal made at its expense: Commerce Ministry * UK junior trade minister visits Taiwan * Seoul taken over by 'Squid Game' * Over a third of people on sinking Tuvalu seek Australia's climate visas * Japan's final H2A rocket successfully lifts off, ends 24-year career * Nine workers missing in India's Uttarakhand after midnight cloudburst caused landslip, rescue ops underway * Lai's 'impurities' speech fuels authoritarian fears: stop before it's too late * Three killed, six injured in stampede at chariot festival in Puri, India * Samyang Foods' market cap tops 10 trillion won on buldak boom * Hong Kong civil servants have duty to identify security breaches: Chris Tang * India rejects statement by Pakistan seeking to blame it for Waziristan attack * 13 Pakistani soldiers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border: Army * Covid-19 death toll in Bangladesh reaches 22 so far this month * Pakistan flash floods and heavy rain kill 32, including 16 children * South Korea: Ex-president Yoon under probe by special prosecutor * 'Hefty price tag' for subsidy scheme: is China's consumer boost sustainable? * Tensions escalate as Democratic Party of Korea pushes to approve PM nominee, extra budget * China dad berated for locking naked son in iron cage, claims pen prevents wandering * Nagoya teacher reportedly used school camera to take indecent photos; used camera often to make school newsletter * M'sia swimming follows football's lead as it seeks mixed heritage athletes abroad * Hong Kong has potential to become green marine fuel hub with Beijing's backing * Tennis - 'I really want to win': Confident Alcaraz targets rare Wimbledon three-peat * Badminton - Korean star Se-young close to million-dollar deal but it's still quiet for Pearly-Thinaah * Motor racing - Mercedes talk of Verstappen is a lot of noise, says Horner * Motorcycling - Marc Marquez wins Dutch Grand Prix but brother Alex crashes out * The bombing of Iran may teach an unwelcome lesson on nuclear weapons * South Korea's Lee names Koo Yun-cheol finance minister, makes other picks * Earning, but still yearning - Lifelong low wages are leaving many lower- and middle-income earners in Malaysia with inadequate retirement savings
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Thai-Cambodia border closed to cargo traffic
The Poipet border crossing, which Thai authorities closed on June 23. PHNOM PENH: The General Department of Immigration (GDI) has announced that it will not permit any type of cargo transport to enter, exit, or transit through any international border checkpoints or regional checkpoints along the Cambodian-Thai border. In a statement issued on Sunday (June 29), the GDI explained that the ban will be enforced in accordance with a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who was responding to measures imposed by the Thai side on June 7 and again on June 23. 'This measure will remain in effect until the Thai side fully reopens all international and regional border checkpoints, which Thailand unilaterally closed, to resume normal operations as they were before June 7, 2025,' said the statement. Cambodia previously banned the import of Thai fruit and vegetables and suspended the import of oil and gas from Thailand. The measures were taken by the Cambodian leadership in response to various threats from Thailand. On June 23, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered Thai authorities to close border crossings in seven provinces, except for medical patients and students, citing the need to combat online scam operations and cross-border crimes. On Sunday (June 29), Burapha Armed Forces requested that their immigration office in Sa Kaeo province allow cargo transport to enter and exit Cambodia through certain border checkpoints. However, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the Thai side to request the military – or whoever has the actual authority – to reopen the borders that have been unilaterally closed or restricted since June 7. "If Thai authorities and Thai citizens wish to see the Cambodian-Thai border checkpoints reopened, there is no need to request Cambodia. "Please request those with real authority in Thailand, whether the military or others, to restore the border checkpoints to their normal state as before June 7, and provide clear assurances that there will be no further unilateral closures or openings. "That will resolve the matter. Everything will return to normal operations as before," he said, via social media. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Hun Manet: Thailand asked to reopen border, insists Cambodia didn't start closure
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) took to his official Facebook page on Sunday (June 29) to share an image of a document from Thailand's Burapha Task Force, addressed to the Sa Kaeo Immigration Police Superintendent, requesting a temporary relaxation of border crossing restrictions for Thai cargo trucks. Hun Manet stated that Cambodian authorities had received the request from their Thai counterparts in Sa Kaeo that same morning, urging the partial reopening of several border checkpoints to ease the economic hardship of people on both sides. He then issued a public clarification directed at both Cambodian and Thai citizens: 'Cambodia understands the difficulties faced by people in both countries due to the border closures. Let it be clear—we were not the ones who initiated these closures.' Hun Manet emphasised that Cambodia had not closed any border checkpoints since the late May border tension erupted in the tri-border area, insisting that Phnom Penh had no intention of escalating the dispute or disrupting cross-border movement and trade. Instead, he accused Thai forces of unilaterally initiating the closures, starting on June 7, by adjusting opening hours and limiting cross-border access without bilateral coordination. He claimed that this continued until June 24, when the Thai government ordered a complete closure, citing national security concerns. 'The political ambiguity and unpredictable shifts in Thailand's stance, along with inconsistencies between what Thai leaders say and what their military enforces on the ground, have become major obstacles to achieving a clear, stable, and lasting solution,' he said. Hun Manet declared that resolving the border issue is "very simple": if Thailand reopens the border unilaterally—just as it unilaterally closed it—and guarantees no future unilateral closures, Cambodia will reopen its side within five hours. The post followed Thailand's announcement earlier in the day that it would temporarily ease border restrictions for a seven-day period, based on orders from the First Army Region and the Burapha Task Force. The move was intended to alleviate the economic impact on local businesses and allow the clearance of cargo vehicles stranded on both sides—especially those pre-registered with Thai customs before June 25, 2025. Thailand's border relaxation (June 29 – July 5): Nong Ian–Stung Bot (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Khao Din (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Nong Prue (temporary trade checkpoint): Up to 40 trucks/day (20 in, 20 out) | Operating: 8am–12pm Thailand has stipulated that trucks returning to its territory must not carry any cargo, and all cross-border activities under this temporary measure must be completed within seven days. Thai authorities stressed that this was a humanitarian and economic relief effort, not a full reopening of the border, and that it should not be interpreted as a political signal amid ongoing tensions. - The Nation/ANN
