Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing intense pressure to step down after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen sparked widespread outrage in the country. The 17-minute call, released on Wednesday, appears to criticize Thailand’s military and suggested that the government was under domestic pressure.
The controversy comes at a time when Thailand is struggling to boost its economy, negotiate a trade deal with the US, and resolve an escalating border dispute with Cambodia. Paetongtarn has only been in office for ten months after replacing another prime minister who was removed from office.
Opponents have accused her of compromising Thailand’s national interests by kowtowing to Hun Sen, and conservative forces are calling for her resignation. The Bhumjaithai party, a major partner of the government, withdrew from the coalition on Wednesday, further weakening Paetongtarn’s position.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has long been a source of tension, with both sides blaming each other for recent clashes. The incident highlights the complex relationship between the two countries, which have had periods of cooperation and rivalry in recent decades.
Paetongtarn tried to downplay her remarks on Wednesday, saying she was trying to diffuse tensions between the neighbors. However, her comments in the leaked call have been seen as unacceptable conduct between states, contradicting internationally accepted practices and the spirit of good neighborliness.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Cambodian ambassador to deliver a letter of protest, calling the leak of the private phone call “a breach of diplomatic etiquette.” The incident has raised questions about Paetongtarn’s leadership and her ability to manage the country’s complex relationships with its neighbors.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/19/asia/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-paetongtarn-intl-hnk