Top Thai lawmaker invited to China as Cambodia border clash puts Beijing’s diplomacy to the test
Analysts predict Beijing will opt for a behind-the-scenes role over direct intervention as tensions build between Southeast Asian countries
Thailand’s top lawmaker will arrive in China on Sunday for a week-long visit as his country is roiled by a political crisis that threatens to topple its coalition government.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, speaker of the Thai House of Representatives, will visit China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Zhao Leji, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday, without giving further details.
Wan Noor’s trip comes as Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra battles to hold on to power amid an uproar over a leaked phone call between her and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen about the border dispute.
In the call leaked on Wednesday, Paetongtarn called Hun Sen “uncle” and criticised a military commander, prompting widespread anger and a public apology from the prime minister.
Bhumjaithai, the second-biggest party in the coalition, quit the alliance the same day and another coalition partner has threatened to follow suit unless Paetongtarn steps down.
The Thai prime minister’s call with Hun Sen was an attempt to resolve a weeks-long stand-off following a clash on May 28 that left one Cambodian soldier dead.