Leaked Phone Call Between Thai PM and Former Cambodian Strongman Sparks Political Firestorm

A leaked phone call between Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen has triggered a political earthquake in Bangkok — one that could topple the government, fracture coalition support, and deepen an already-tense border dispute.

A Scandal with Serious Fallout

The 17-minute recording, made public by Hun Sen himself, features 38-year-old Paetongtarn criticizing her own military over last month’s deadly border clash that left a Cambodian soldier dead. Calling Hun Sen “uncle,” she urged him not to listen to opposing Thai military voices and hinted at internal discord within her administration.

“Right now, that side wants to look cool, they will say things that are not beneficial to the nation,” she said in the call, referring to a Thai army commander. “If you want anything, just tell me, and I will take care of it.”

Those comments struck a nerve. Critics accused her of undermining Thailand’s national interests and bending to the will of a foreign leader. On Wednesday, the Bhumjaithai party — a key coalition partner — quit the government, throwing Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party into crisis just ten months into her tenure.

“Her exit is a matter of time,” warned Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University. “She could be liable for further charges.”

Diplomatic Fallout

The leak infuriated Thai officials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it “a breach of diplomatic etiquette” and summoned Cambodia’s ambassador to deliver a formal protest. In a public statement, the ministry said the leak undermined “trust and respect between the two leaders and countries.”

Hun Sen, 72, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades before handing power to his son Hun Manet in 2023, claimed he had shared the recording with around 80 Cambodian officials — one of whom may have leaked it. Later, he posted the full audio himself on social media.

PM Paetongtarn Tries to Contain the Damage

Paetongtarn has since apologized and tried to explain her comments as a “negotiation tactic,” claiming the call was meant to de-escalate tensions and “shouldn’t have been made public.”

“I understand now — this was never about real negotiation. It was political theater,” she said during a press conference. “Releasing this call… it’s just not the way diplomacy should be done.”

But for many in Thailand, the damage was already done. Conservative and nationalist voices are calling for her resignation and legal action. Meanwhile, online outrage and political protests are gaining momentum.

A Fragile Border, an Escalating Dispute

The phone call is just the latest twist in a dangerous standoff between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed northern border — particularly the Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge.

Tensions flared last month when troops from both countries exchanged fire, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Each side blamed the other, and what began as a local incident has since ballooned into a wider geopolitical standoff.

Thailand responded with military reinforcements, tighter border control, and threats to cut off electricity and internet to Cambodian towns. Cambodia retaliated by halting Thai imports, banning Thai media, and filing a petition with the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) — though Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the disputed areas.

This isn’t the first time the border has been a flashpoint. In 2011, the two countries fought a deadly skirmish over territory near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, killing at least 20 people and displacing thousands.

The Political Stakes

For Paetongtarn, the stakes could not be higher. She’s Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister and the daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra — a divisive figure who remains influential behind the scenes. Critics accuse her of being out of her depth; supporters say she’s a fresh face attempting to bridge a deeply divided political landscape.

But with coalition support collapsing, public sentiment turning, and her handling of both the border crisis and foreign relations under fire, her future as leader looks increasingly uncertain.

As one analyst put it: “Thailand was already walking a tightrope. This scandal just cut the rope.”