Government's stability in Thailand is questioned as a leaked conversation severely damages Prime Minister Paetongtarn's reputation
A fiery political storm rocked Thailand this week, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra grappled with survival following a coalition partner's defection. The catalyst? A private conversation with Cambodia's former strongman leader, Hun Sen, that was leaked to the public on Wednesday.
In a less-than-subtle nine-minute chat, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and referred to elements within the Thai army as "opponents." This language sparked outrage among Thai nationalists, who interpreted it as a betrayal of their nation's interests.
Tensions have simmered for over a century surrounding the Thailand-Cambodia border, with colonial-era maps erroneously drawing lines that have persisted in controversy. This dispute takes center stage around the historic Preah Vihear temple, where the International Court of Justice ruled Cambodia's ownership in 1962, but Thailand continues to claim adjacent lands.
Since taking office in 2024, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn has been tasked with navigating this delicate issue. However, a leaked phone call during the crisis reportedly undermined the Thai military’s authority and complicated her stance, leading to political fallout.
Bhumjaithai, a key royalist coalition ally, seized on this opportunity, withdrawing its 69 lawmakers from the government coalition on the evening of June 18, 2025. Not only did the party pull its members, but it also demanded the removal of eight ministers under Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party.
Influential Cambodian leader Hun Sen, who has long emphasized Cambodia’s sovereignty over Preah Vihear and adjacent lands, may have played a part in fueling the conflict through his continued support of nationalist policies. Despite stepping down from office, his legacy and philosophy continue to shape Cambodia's stance on the border dispute.
The Thailand-Cambodia territorial squabble is a long-standing, intricate standoff rooted in faulty colonial border delimitations, clashing national pride, and ongoing nationalist politics. In this tense environment, the leadership of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn faces a significant test as she navigates the domestic political strains caused by the border crisis, while Cambodia maintains its strong claims with cautious diplomacy on both sides [1][2][3].
War-and-conflicts escalated between Thailand and Cambodia in 2025, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra struggled to maintain her position following Bhumjaithai's withdrawal from the government coalition. The crisis, fueled by a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's influential leader, Hun Sen, revealed policy-and-legislation complications that strained Thai-Cambodian relations and led to general-news headlines.
