BANGKOK, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a cabinet reshuffle as proposed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, said a royal command released on Tuesday, following the exit of a key party from the ruling coalition.

According to the official Royal Gazette, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is reassigned as interior minister.

Paetongtarn is assigned to double as culture minister, while eight new cabinet members are also appointed to fill vacant ministerial posts after the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest partner in the previous ruling bloc, pulled out its support last month.

The reshuffle comes amid growing political tension as a leaked phone conversation sparked widespread backlash over Paetongtarn's handling of border issues with neighboring Cambodia.

The Bhumjaithai Party announced last week that it would seek a censure debate against Paetongtarn and her cabinet and invite other opposition groups to support its motion when parliament reconvenes this week.

The party's departure from the government leaves the ruling coalition led by Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party with only a slim majority in the House of Representatives.

Paetongtarn is also under judicial scrutiny after a group of senators last week petitioned the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate her conduct, citing the lack of integrity and serious violation of ethical standards over the phone call with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Paetongtarn, the 38-year-old Pheu Thai Party leader and the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected Thailand's youngest and second female premier after winning a parliamentary vote last August. Enditem