Paetongtarn's main coalition partner, the conservative party Bhumjaithai, has left the government cooperation. The Prime Minister's behavior in the leaked phone call has damaged the country and the military's dignity, they claim.
In the conversation, Paetongtarn is heard discussing the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia. She calls Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen "uncle" and refers to the military chief in northeastern Thailand as her "opponent", which has received harsh criticism in a Thailand where the military still has great influence.
On Thursday, Paetongtarn apologizes. At the same time, demands for her resignation are growing, alternatively for a announced new election. On Thursday, hundreds of government-critical Thais demonstrate outside the parliament in Bangkok.
The scandal has thrown the kingdom into renewed political instability, in the middle of a situation where the country is struggling to save its economy in the light of the USA's tariff threats. With Bhumjaithai's departure, the sitting government is severely weakened – and if more parties choose to leave the coalition, the collapse is a fact.
Thailand's military has played a powerful role in the country's politics for decades. The kingdom has been ruled by military juntas on several occasions and the military still has significant influence.
If 38-year-old Paetongtarn were to be overthrown in a military coup, she would become the third member of the Shinawatra family, after her aunt Yingluck and father Thaksin, to be ousted by the military.
Paetongtarn came to power in August last year.
