Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will on Friday (June 20, 2025) visit an Army Commander she called an "opponent" in a leaked phone call as she battles to defuse a crisis threatening to topple her government.
The 38-year-old leader, in office for less than a year, was forced to make a public apology on Thursday (June 19, 2025) as anger flared over the call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that appeared online.
Her main coalition partner, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, pulled out on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) saying she had insulted the country and the Army, putting her government on the point of collapse.
There was better news for Ms. Paetongtarn, daughter of controversial billionaire ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, on Friday as another important coalition partner, the conservative Democrat Party, pledged to stay.
"The Democrat Party will remain in the government to help resolve the challenges the country is currently facing," the party said in a statement.
