Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra publicly apologised on Thursday following the leak of a private phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that has triggered a deepening political crisis and brought her government to the brink of collapse.
The 17-minute conversation, in which Ms Paetongtarn struck a conciliatory tone and referred to Hun Sen as “uncle,” was made public earlier this week by the former Cambodian leader himself. The call was made in the aftermath of a deadly border skirmish on May 28 in a disputed “no man’s land” area claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia. The clash resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, reigniting long-simmering territorial tensions.
In the call, Ms Paetongtarn appeared to shift blame to the Thai military for escalating the conflict, remarks that sparked outrage among nationalist circles and led to the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party — her largest coalition partner — from the ruling government. The departure has left her administration in a precarious position, raising the spectre of a no-confidence vote or fresh elections.
“I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment,” Paetongtarn said in a televised address. She acknowledged the call was made using her personal phone and claimed she was unaware it was being recorded or would be shared publicly.
Hun Sen, Cambodia’s long-time former leader and current president of the Senate, posted the full audio recording on his Facebook page on Wednesday, claiming the move was necessary “to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation in official matters.”
Paetongtarn defended the tone of the call, explaining that her “sympathetic remarks and softer tone” were intended as a negotiation strategy. “It was just a negotiation technique. I was conducting myself with the purpose of maintaining peace and our sovereignty,” she said.
Despite her apology, the prime minister voiced sharp criticism of Hun Sen, accusing him of exploiting the conversation for personal gain. “It’s clear now that his true desire is to win popularity in his country without caring about the impact on bilateral relations,” she said.
Ms Paetongtarn also declared that she would not engage in any further private communications with the Cambodian political veteran, stating, “I can no longer trust him.”
The scandal has not only deepened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia but has also dealt a significant blow to the credibility of ASEAN, the regional bloc to which both countries belong. Analysts have warned that ASEAN’s inability to mediate the dispute risks eroding its reputation as a platform for conflict resolution in Southeast Asia.
As the fallout continues, Ms Paetongtarn faces an uphill battle to stabilise her government and rebuild political trust, both at home and with Cambodia.
