Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under mounting pressure to resign following the release of a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The call, which touched on a simmering border dispute, has sparked political turmoil in Bangkok and worsened diplomatic relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
In the 17-minute conversation shared by Hun Sen on Facebook, Paetongtarn appeared to criticize a Thai military commander, saying he “just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful.” The call was reportedly made in the wake of a deadly clash in May at the Thailand-Cambodia border that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
While Paetongtarn defended the call as a “negotiation technique,” her comments have drawn fierce backlash from opposition politicians and the military, who accuse her of undermining Thailand’s sovereignty and its armed forces. The fallout has been swift and severe—Bhumjaithai, the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, exited the alliance on Wednesday, weakening the Pheu Thai party’s grip on power.
With the coalition now holding only a slim majority in parliament, political analysts warn that more defections could trigger the collapse of Paetongtarn’s government. Two other coalition parties are expected to hold emergency meetings to decide their next steps.
Paetongtarn’s close ties with the Hun family—particularly her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s long-standing relationship with Hun Sen—have come under scrutiny. Critics argue her familiarity with the Cambodian leader has compromised her ability to prioritize Thai interests. During the call, she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and pledged to “take care” of his concerns, further fuelling accusations of bias.
In retaliation to the ongoing tensions, Cambodia has imposed sweeping bans on Thai imports, including food, electricity, and entertainment. Border restrictions have also been enforced by both sides.
The century-old territorial dispute, rooted in colonial-era border demarcations, has flared periodically. The latest exchange of gunfire in May has reignited historical animosities, placing Southeast Asia’s fragile peace at risk. With regional stability hanging in the balance, calls for dialogue and transparency are growing louder.
