Following the leaked call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, Thai opposition parties have called on the PM to take responsibility by either resigning or dissolving the House of Representatives.

The calls come from the People’s Party, Fair Party, Palang Pracharath Party, and Thai Sang Thai Party.

A recording of a phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen over the recent border tension sparked nationwide uproar after it was leaked on Wednesday (18 June), compromising Paetongtarn’s position as Prime Minister. She also faces at least four legal complaints from different parties, aimed at removing her from office.

There is also a growing fear that her administration will be toppled by a coup, an undemocratic measure that was used against both her father and aunt in the past, given that some conservative blocs started to protest against her after the controversial call was leaked.

MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the main opposition People’s Party, held a press conference on Thursday (19 June) to affirm the party’s position regarding the leaked call, reiterating that the best way out for the country is to dissolve the House of Representatives, rather than to resign. This would allow the public to choose new representatives and a new leader.

Given the remaining PM candidates, Natthaphong said it remained uncertain how they could effectively steer the country through the crisis. [The PM must be chosen from the candidates nominated by political parties before the last election.] He also remarked that the Party did not support any unlawful move, particularly a coup, urging society to stand firm on democratic principles.

Meanwhile, Chaithawat Tulathon, former leader of the Move Forward Party - the predecessor of the People’s Party- observed that the ruling Pheu Thai Party is unprepared for a new election, making House dissolution a last resort for them. He stated that should the government fail to regain public trust, dissolving the House of Representatives would still be the best way to restore confidence.

The conservative Palang Pracharath Party responded to the leaked call by calling on the PM to resign, saying the call reflected tactless negotiation skills, which eroded public trust in the administration. Using personal relationships in official matters was also seen as putting national interests at risk.

On top of that, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a member of the Party, filed a petition with the Election Commission, seeking an investigation into whether Paetongtarn committed a breach of ethics under the Constitution by speaking to Hun Sen and saying that the military is not on her side.

MP Kannavee Suebsang from the Fair Party said resignation would only address the issue of an individual, while the current problem concerns the entire Cabinet. The legitimacy of the Cabinet as a whole has already been undermined by the PM’s actions.

He remarked that PM Paetongtarn should dissolve the House of Representatives and hold a new election, allowing people to choose a person who is qualified and ready to serve people.

In a statement, the Thai Sang Thai Party urged the PM to resign, saying the leaked call showed that the PM lacked leadership and maturity, which harmed the country’s sovereignty and dignity.

“The Thai Sang Thai Party views it as appropriate for Paetongtarn Shinawatra to take political responsibility by "resigning" from the position of prime minister to show the spirit of a good politician and she must not exercise power or do anything that affects the House of Representatives or any related agencies or people,” said the statement.