The Bhumjaithai Party has announced its withdrawal from the Pheu Thai-led government coalition just hours after the conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen was leaked, delivering another significant blow to the government.

The Bhumjaithai Party, which has the second-largest number of seats in the government coalition with 69 MPs, released an official statement at around 20.40 last night (18 June), saying that it has decided to leave the government coalition because the phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen undermined Thailand’s sovereignty, interests, and the military. Ministers affiliated with the party will also submit their resignations, effective from today (19 June).

The statement urged the Prime Minister to take responsibility for her actions, which they said had brought disgrace to the nation, people, and the military. It also said that the party is willing to support the military and other officials working to protect Thailand’s sovereignty. 

The references to the military are thought to be prompted by comments made by PM Paetongtarn in the leaked interview that indicate a divergence of views with the commander of the Second Army Region. Bhumjaithai seems to be signalling its allegiance to the military rather than the current administration.

The move was somewhat expected. The relationship between Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai has been deteriorating for months. Pheu Thai has said that it intends to take back the Ministry of the Interior, held by Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, and that it has proposed other ministries to Bhumjaithai in return. Anutin, however, said that the party is ready to join the opposition if it doesn’t get to keep the Interior Ministry post. 

Pheu Thai reportedly offered Bhumjaithai the posts of Public Health Minister and PM’s Office Minister and issued an ultimatum, demanding a response within 48 hours, a deadline that expired today (19 June).

On Wednesday morning (18 June) before the controversial phone call was leaked, Anutin said that he had begun packing up his belongings at the Interior Ministry and the Deputy Prime Minister’s office.

Bhumjaithai’s announcement after the phone call was leaked is seen as an attempt to exploit the controversy regarding the leaked call to justify and ease its withdrawal from the government coalition.

With Bhumjaithai’s exit, the government coalition is left with 260 MPs out of 495 – regarded as a slim majority. Meanwhile, with Bhumjaithai, the opposition has a total of 234 seats. Around 130 Senators are also reportedly affiliated with Bhumjaithai.

Several key bills, including the 2026 budget bill and the Entertainment Complex Act, are still awaiting parliamentary deliberation. According to parliamentary convention, Paetongtarn must resign or dissolve parliament if the budget bill is rejected.

This morning (19 June), Bhumjaithai MP and Second Deputy House Speaker Praradorn Prissananantakul also announced his resignation from his post as Deputy House Speaker. He said he has been discussing his position with Anutin for a while, and that he previously intended to resign once the session reopens. He also said that he decided to resign after the party leaves the government coalition because, under parliamentary convention, deputy house speakers tend not to be from the opposition.

Other government coalition members, the Democrat, United Thai Nation and Chartthaipattana parties, are holding meetings of their executive boards today (19 June) to discuss what to do.