Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government is on the brink of collapse just 10 months into power, following a leaked phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen that has sparked public outrage and triggered a political crisis.
Thailand PM’s Leaked Call Triggers Outrage
In the controversial audio clip, Paetongtarn, 38, can be heard addressing Hun Sen — a long-time family friend — as “uncle” and seemingly criticising a top Thai military commander’s handling of an escalating border conflict. “I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment,” she said on Thursday, as demands for her resignation gained momentum.
Key Coalition Partner Quits
The fallout escalated when Bhumjaithai, the ruling coalition’s second-largest party, withdrew its support on Wednesday, delivering a heavy blow to the Peu Thai-led administration’s fragile majority in parliament. The situation remains tense, with two other coalition partners meeting on Thursday to reassess their stance.
Criticism Over ‘Negotiation Technique’
According to a BBC report, critics wasted no time attacking Paetongtarn’s perceived subservience to Hun Sen and her remarks about the Thai military, which she said “just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful.” She defended the exchange as a “negotiation technique,” but the public backlash has been severe.
The Shinawatra family’s close ties with Cambodia’s ruling Hun family have long raised suspicions among Thai nationalists. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and Hun Sen have often referred to each other as “godbrothers.”
Hun Sen Releases Full Clip
Hun Sen admitted to sharing the audio with 80 politicians before releasing the entire 17-minute recording on Facebook.
In response, Thailand’s foreign ministry sent a letter to Cambodia’s ambassador, expressing “deep disappointment” over the leak of what it described as a “private telephone conversation.” It cautioned that the disclosure “will severely affect ongoing efforts for both sides to resolve the problem in good faith.”
Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Worsen
Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border have been steadily rising since last month when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash, marking the lowest point in diplomatic relations in over a decade. Cambodia retaliated by imposing broad bans on Thai imports — including agricultural products, electricity, and even popular Thai television dramas — while both countries introduced new border restrictions.
Thailand’s Youngest PM Under Fire
Paetongtarn, who became Thailand’s youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the office (after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra), took power last August following her predecessor Srettha Thavisin’s removal by court order. Now, with her coalition fracturing and criticism mounting, her political future hangs in the balance.
