Sailing to destruction?

Divisions within the UTN have been compounded by its decision to back PM following her leaked phone call with Hun Sen Paetongtarn's culture minister move is being seen as a bid to stay in power longer to weaken opponents before polls

- 

The beleaguered United Thai Nation (UTN) Party could be heading for disintegration after the next general election for what it has done to supporters, according to critics.

The ultraconservative party whose leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was catapulted to instant stardom in the eyes of UTN supporters for having inherited former premier Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's political “DNA” is in an almost unsalvageable state.

Its reversal in fortunes has happened almost overnight.

It started with the leaked audio clip in which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was heard pleading with Cambodia Senate president Hun Sen to help her out of a personal predicament after being bombarded with criticism for being too soft on Cambodia amid the border dispute.

The premier also labelled the 2nd Army Region commander in charge of the military area along the lower northeastern border with Cambodia as an “opponent”. She also offered to return the favour if Hun Sen agreed to help her.

The recording, allegedly leaked by the Cambodians, sparked outrage in Thailand and calls for Ms Paetongtarn to step down as premier.

However, when it became apparent Ms Paetongtarn was not throwing in the towel, attention turned to coalition parties. Many of their supporters, particularly those in the conservative camp, demanded they immediately withdraw from the Pheu Thai-led government.

To their disappointment, parties like the Democrat Party and Chartthaipattana announced they were staying put, reasoning it would be a disservice to the country if they abandoned the administration at a politically volatile juncture.