Crisis in Thailand's Government: Prime Minister Apologizes After Leaked Phone Call Furore
Apologetic Shinawatra Admits Controversial Telephone Conversation
Social media is abuzz with the potential collapse of Thailand's government as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra apologizes for a controversial phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen. "I offer my sincere apologies for the phone conversation with a Cambodian official that has stirred public discontent," Paetongtarn admitted. The controversy led one of her coalition partners to leave the government, fueling demands for fresh elections.
The 17-minute phone call, leaked on June 15, 2025, focused on the ongoing 2025 Cambodian–Thai border dispute. In the call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized the Thai regional army chief, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, in the border region. The leaked audio sparked widespread anger and controversy, particularly on online forums.
The Bhumjaithai Party, with 69 seats in Thailand's House of Representatives, announced its departure from the coalition government on June 18, citing the phone call scandal as the reason. With the Bhumjaithai Party gone, the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government headed by PaetongtarnShinawatra is teetering on the edge, prompting demands for her resignation and calls for elections.
Thailand's politics have been marred by two decades of instability, marked by coups, street protests, and court decisions. The recurring power struggle between the military, the royalist establishment, and progressive parties, as well as the influence of the Shinawatra family, is responsible for this instability.
Amidst the crisis, key political parties and the military have unequivocally rejected the possibility of military intervention or a coup, emphasizing that such action would harm Thailand's image. Although the coalition faces significant challenges, coalition members are investigating political scenarios to manage the fallout, with hopes of averting a disastrous end.
Other lingering issues, such as the 2024 Thai Senate election scandal and security concerns related to the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, compound the crisis. Despite the turmoil, actors like the military and coalition partners remain optimistic that a political resolution is still feasible, enabling Prime Minister Paetongtarn to steer the government during these tense times.
[1] nationalpost.com
[2] reuters.com
- In light of the ongoing crisis in Thailand's government, there have been increasing discussions about reviewing both community policy and employment policy within political circles, as these issues might have contributed to the public discontent that led to the PM's apology.
- With the ongoing political instability and the threat of war-and-conflicts along the Thailand-Cambodia border, policy-and-legislation discussions on politics and general news platforms are trending, focusing on potential solutions to mitigate further conflicts and ensure a stable future for both nations.
