Thai party plans no confidence vote against embattled PM
BANGKOK, June 24 — Thailand's Bhumjaithai party, which left the ruling coalition last week, said today it would seek a parliamentary no confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet, in another blow to the embattled premier.
Next week's planned motion will be the first parliamentary test for Paetongtarn, 38, since coming under intense public pressure over her handling of an escalating border row with neighbouring Cambodia, which left the ruling alliance led by her Pheu Thai party hanging on to power by a thread.
Paetongtarn is also facing judicial scrutiny after a group of senators petitioned the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body with a wide remit to investigate her conduct. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal.
Alongside, anti-government groups are planning a street protest starting Saturday, demanding her to resign.
Bhumjaithai withdrew its support for the government last Wednesday citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity from the leak of a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen.
During the call, Paetongtarn kowtowed before the veteran Cambodian politician and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologised over the leak.
'We have a party resolution to file a no confidence motion against the prime minister,' Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boontida Somchai said, adding that the party was inviting other opposition groups to back the move.
'When parliament opens, first thing, we will petition a no-confidence motion.'
Bhumjaithai has 69 seats and would need the support of another 30 lawmakers to launch the motion when parliament reconvenes on July 3.
Sorawong Thienthong, tourism minister and Pheu Thai party secretary-general, said the government was not concerned as it had the backing of more than half of the house.
'We are not worried. This is the duty of the opposition,' Sorawong told Reuters.
Ahead of Bhumjaithai's announcement, Paetongtarn asserted the ruling coalition was strong and the government had settled on a cabinet reshuffle, while approving US$3.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the flagging economy.
'It's settled, I've spoken to all party leaders,' she said. 'Coalition parties have been fully supportive.'
Border dispute
A political novice and daughter of the divisive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn also dismissed speculation that she would take over the defence ministry portfolio, a closely watched position as the situation with Cambodia deteriorates.
Late Monday, the Thai military said it had closed border crossings into Cambodia to almost all travellers, including tourists and traders, citing security concerns as tensions simmer over a long-standing border dispute.
The latest flare-up was triggered after a brief clash in May left one Cambodian soldier dead. Both governments have since announced measures designed to punish the other, including Cambodia's recent suspension of all Thai fuel and gas imports.
Casinos in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and along the borders with Thailand are a key part of the country's tourism industry and a draw for Thai visitors.
Thailand will now restrict all vehicles, tourists and traders from crossing at all land border checkpoints in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, the military said in a statement late on Monday, citing security concerns.
Exemptions for humanitarian reasons, including medical attention, students and other urgent matters were at the discretion of security units at checkpoints, it said.
The military said the measures would also assist in a crackdown on illegal scam centres in Cambodia, flagged by Paetongtarn on Monday.
Thailand would stop cross-border supplies of essentials, including electricity and internet connectivity, to areas in Cambodia where illicit operations are hosted, the prime minister told reporters.
Cambodia has denied those allegations. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
SST revision won't hurt govt's RM10bil collection target, says economist
On Friday, the government announced that imported apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates will be exempted from the SST. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA : The revision of the sales and service tax's (SST) expansion to exempt several goods and services will not jeopardise the government's target of collecting up to RM10 billion a year, says an economist. Geoffrey Williams said the government has been responsive to views from the relevant stakeholders, and is committed to reducing financial burdens without harming the country's fiscal capability. Geoffrey Williams. 'The revision is minor and will not greatly affect overall collections. 'The government should still be able to hit its RM5 billion collection target for the last six months of 2025 and RM10 billion for next year,' he told FMT, adding the revision will also help control inflation and consumer spending patterns. On Friday, the government announced that imported apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates will be exempted from the SST. Also exempted are beauty services such as manicures, pedicures, facials and hairdressing. The finance ministry also said the threshold for service tax registration for leasing or rental and financial services had been raised from RM500,000 to RM1 million, to reduce the number of small businesses that would be affected. Williams said the revision is in line with the government's long-term goal to increase national revenue and strengthen basic health, education and social protection services without unduly burdening consumers. 'This is not just a question of tax collection, but of responsible and fair fiscal policy implementation,' he said. Carmelo Ferlito. However, Center for Market Education CEO Carmelo Ferlito said the government must address potential weaknesses and leakages arising from confusion over the tax's implementation, especially in relation to the newly-exempted goods and services. He said the tax must be simple and fair, warning that making it overly complex would only cause more problems. Ferlito also called for the government to control its own spending to avoid the inflationary risks associated with SST. 'Taxes do not cause inflation, government spending does. 'If the government is truly serious about implementing reforms to reduce the burden of the cost of living on the people, it must impose limits on its own expenditure,' he said.
The Star
8 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
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Support for Thai PM Paetongtarn crashes to 9pc amid leaked ‘Uncle' Hun Sen call fallout
BANGKOK, June 29 — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's popularity has plunged to single digits in a new opinion poll, as backlash over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen continues to shake Thailand's political scene. According to Bloomberg, just 9.2 per cent of respondents backed Paetongtarn as their preferred prime minister in a nationwide survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from June 19 to 25. That's a dramatic drop from the 30.9 per cent support she garnered in March. The youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn has been under intense pressure since a June 15 recording of her conversation with Hun Sen surfaced, with critics interpreting her remarks as disparaging towards the Thai military. The scandal has triggered mass protests, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in Bangkok on June 28 demanding her resignation. The fallout also led to a coalition partner walking out, nearly causing her government to collapse. Despite the mounting pressure, Paetongtarn has so far resisted calls to step down. Meanwhile, the political momentum appears to have swung sharply toward the opposition. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, now leads the race for premier with 31.5 per cent support, up from 25.8 per cent in the last survey. According to Nida, Natthaphong's backers said they were drawn to his 'honesty and transparency' and hoped a younger generation of leaders would bring 'fresh ideas and policies' to the country. Still, nearly one in five respondents — 19.9 per cent — said no candidate was suitable to lead the country. Among political parties, the People's Party also saw a significant bump in popularity, rising to 46.1 per cent from 37.1 per cent. In contrast, Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party dropped to 11.5 per cent from 28.1 per cent. Paetongtarn was installed as prime minister in August 2024, following the Constitutional Court's removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethics violations. Thailand's ongoing political turmoil adds to broader economic concerns, with the country grappling with slowing domestic consumption, weak tourism figures, and pressure from potential US tariffs. The Nida poll surveyed 2,500 Thai citizens aged 18 and above nationwide.
