Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is confronting a deepening political crisis after a major coalition partner withdrew support in the wake of a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The controversy has sparked widespread public outrage and stoked fears of escalating tensions along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border.
The leaked audio, recorded on June 15, reveals Paetongtarn urging Hun Sen to seek a peaceful resolution to the border dispute, following deadly clashes in May that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
In the call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and urged him to disregard voices within Thailand—including a prominent army general whom she dismissed as seeking to “just look cool.”
Paetongtarn, who took office in August 2024 and is the daughter and niece of former Prime Ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, publicly apologized during a press conference flanked by senior military officials. “My intention was to stabilise the situation, and I never expected the conversation to be leaked,” she said. “Moving forward, I will exercise greater caution in my diplomatic engagements.”
While defending her remarks as part of a negotiation strategy aimed at maintaining peace, Paetongtarn also declared she would no longer hold private talks with Hun Sen, citing a loss of trust.
The fallout was swift and severe. Late Wednesday, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, the largest partner in her coalition, pulled out, citing damage to the nation’s dignity and the military’s reputation.
Their departure leaves Paetongtarn’s coalition with a fragile majority in the 495-seat parliament and significantly raises the prospect of early elections.
Other coalition parties are scheduled to meet amid speculation the government could soon collapse.
The opposition People’s Party, successor to the disbanded Move Forward Party, called for fresh elections. “The leaked call was the final blow to public confidence in Prime Minister Paetongtarn,” said People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. “The people deserve a government with a democratic mandate that can effectively address their challenges.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Government House on Thursday, demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation, underscoring the mounting public dissatisfaction just ten months into her premiership.
