Pheu Thai reunions are out of the question, as stated by the head of Bhumjaithai party.
In June 2025, a significant political shift took place in Thailand when the Bhumjaithai Party departed from the Pheu Thai-led coalition. This decision was sparked by a series of events that unfolded over the course of several weeks.
The catalyst for the political upheaval was a leaked phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The call, which was perceived as damaging to Thailand's dignity and national honor, involved criticisms of the Thai military.
The fallout from this conversation was swift. The Bhumjaithai Party, a major coalition partner, withdrew from the government, citing that the PM's comments had damaged the country's dignity and national honor. This decision left the Pheu Thai-led government with a razor-thin majority in parliament, making it vulnerable to collapse.
The departure of Bhumjaithai also resurfaced a long-running dispute over a large tract of land in Khao Kradong district of Buri Ram, as the party was no longer in charge of the Interior Ministry.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai heavyweight Prasert Jantararuangtong dismissed accusations by Bhumjaithai that his party was attempting to buy "cobras" (political defectors). Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, on the other hand, gave the department seven days to explain why it had failed to comply with court rulings.
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out the possibility of the party rejoining the Pheu Thai-led coalition. The long-running dispute over the status of the land in Khao Kradong district, as well as the party's diverging political directions with Pheu Thai, were cited as reasons for this decision.
Thaksin Shinawatra, de facto head of Pheu Thai, expressed a willingness to mend ties, but was dismissed by Mr Anutin. The Department of Land, under the Interior Ministry, also declined to nullify the disputed deeds.
The by-election in Constituency 5 of Si Sa Ket is being held to fill the seat left vacant following the death of Pheu Thai MP Amorntep Sommai on June 27. Bhumjaithai is campaigning for Jintawan Traisaranakul, while Pheu Thai is backing Phurika Sommai.
The leak of the embarrassing phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian premier Hun Sen also triggered Bhumjaithai's decision to move to the opposition. The party had already sacrificed its popularity once by joining the Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Mr Anutin stated that representing the people is an honor, and being a "cobra" (political defector) is betraying the people. He also maintained that the department had already done the things necessary to comply with the court ruling. Mr Anutin believes it is not wrong for politicians to aspire to be prime minister.
The departure from the coalition government occurred on June 18, marking a significant turning point in Thai politics. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how this political shift will impact the future of Thai governance.
- The leaked phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which involved criticisms of the Thai military and was perceived as damaging to Thailand's dignity and national honor, sparked the Bhumjaithai Party's decision to leave the Pheu Thai-led coalition, marking a shift in Thai politics.
- The departure of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition government resurfaced a long-running dispute over a large tract of land in Khao Kradong district of Buri Ram, as they were no longer in charge of the Interior Ministry, and also highlighted their diverging political directions with Pheu Thai.
- The political upheaval in Thailand, triggered by the leak of the embarrassing phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian premier Hun Sen, has led to discussions about policy-and-legislation, politics, and crime-and-justice, as well as general-news coverage of war-and-conflicts, making it an important time for the nation's migration and border control policies.
