Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under mounting pressure to resign amid a deepening political crisis sparked by a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, which has intensified tensions over a recent border dispute between the two countries.
On Thursday, Paetongtarn publicly apologized after a key coalition ally withdrew support for her Pheu Thai Party-led government, citing the controversial recording. The prime minister has already been under fire from nationalist critics for what they see as a lenient approach toward Cambodia — a sensitive issue given the longstanding enmity between her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, and Thai right-wing factions.
The latest row follows a deadly border clash on May 28 in a disputed area, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Controversial Leak and Fallout
Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, who served as prime minister for decades, released the entire 17-minute phone conversation on Facebook after a shorter version had been leaked a day earlier. He said the call was recorded to prevent “misunderstanding or misrepresentation” and noted that he had shared it with over 80 individuals.
In the recording, Paetongtarn is heard addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” while the two, speaking through interpreters, discussed easing border restrictions following the deadly skirmish. Controversy erupted after she referred to the Thai military commander stationed at the disputed zone as “an opponent,” which critics say signaled weakness and deference to Cambodia.
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Paetongtarn defended her comments, stating they were part of a negotiation strategy aimed at de-escalating tensions and fostering peace. However, she announced she would no longer hold private talks with Hun Sen, accusing him of prioritizing domestic popularity over regional diplomacy.
“It is now evident that his concern lies solely with boosting his image at home, with little regard for the consequences on bilateral relations,” she said.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest with the Cambodian ambassador, denouncing the leak as “a breach of diplomatic etiquette, a serious violation of trust, and harmful to neighborly conduct.”
Paetongtarn has previously emphasized the personal ties between the Shinawatra and Hun families. Her father Thaksin and Hun Sen have long referred to each other as “godbrothers.” In 2009, Hun Sen controversially appointed Thaksin as an adviser to the Cambodian government, though Thaksin resigned shortly thereafter.
Mounting pressure
Hours after the leak, the Bhumjaithai party, the biggest partner in Paetongtarn’s ruling coalition, said it would quit because of the leaked phone call. The party's statement said the recording “posed an impact on Thailand’s sovereignty, territory, interests and the army.” The party called for Paetongtarn to take responsibility for the damage, although they did not say how.
There has already been a rift between Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai over reports that the former would be shuffled out of the powerful Interior Ministry. Several Bhumjaithai leaders are also under investigation over the alleged rigging of the Senate election in which many figures who are reportedly close to the party claimed a majority of seats.
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The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party on Thursday called for Paetongtarn to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election. He said the leaked phone call was “the last straw” that destroyed people's faith in her administration.
Dozens of nationalists protesters gathered near the Government House on Thursday, holding Thai national flags and signs calling for Paetongtarn to resign. Some senators said they will file a motion to impeach her, and several other individuals also filed complaints over the matter to law enforcement agencies.
People have also expressed concern that Paetongtarn’s comment towards the local army commander could potentially lead to a military coup. Her father, Thaksin, was ousted in a coup in 2006, and Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 and was also toppled by the military in 2014.
The military said in a statement Thursday that it would like the people to “maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army’s steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and its readiness to execute its constitutional mandate of protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms."