Thailand's government is on the verge of collapse after a leaked audio recording of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticizing the military led to a key party in her ruling coalition withdrawing support. This has left her with a minority government and calls for her resignation are growing.

The conservative Bhumjaithai Party, with 69 seats in the lower house, has exited the coalition, reducing the government's control to just 261 seats in Parliament. Other parties are considering following suit, which could further weaken the administration.

During a press conference, Ms. Paetongtarn issued a public apology and urged unity among the Thai people in the face of what she described as a threat to national security. The leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen, where she criticized the Thai army, has stirred controversy.

In the 17-minute call, Ms. Paetongtarn asked for Mr. Hun Sen's help in resolving border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. She blamed the Thai army for escalating the situation and used terms like 'the opposite side' to refer to them. She later claimed that her comments were part of a negotiation tactic.

Political analysts believe that the scandal has damaged trust in the government and further decreased public support for Ms. Paetongtarn. Her position as prime minister is now in jeopardy, with calls for her to step down or face an early election.

Ms. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took office just 10 months ago. Her leadership has been under scrutiny due to economic challenges and her perceived ties to her father's political influence.

The leaked phone call controversy comes at a critical time for Thailand, as the country grapples with economic issues and external pressures such as trade tariffs imposed by the United States. The political turmoil could further destabilize the government and hinder efforts to revive the economy.

Thailand has a history of military involvement in politics, with several coups in the past century. The opposition has criticized Ms. Paetongtarn for her handling of the situation and called for Parliament to be dissolved to prevent a military intervention.