• Source:JND
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Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finds herself in the eye of a political storm after a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sparked outrage across the country, prompting one of her main coalition partners to withdraw and threatening the very real possibility of a snap election, or even a possible coup. The secretly recorded audio, which emerged this week, has the Thai Prime Minister call Cambodia's former longtime ruler Hun Sen as "Uncle," and also term the Thai army commander deployed in the northeast region as her "opponent." The term, uttered in what was thought to be an off-the-record remark, has set off a national discussion regarding her leadership, foreign policy management, and civil-military relations. Though Hun Sen resigned in 2023, he still remains influential in Phnom Penh. His son, Hun Manet, currently heads Cambodia.

At the news conference on Thursday, PM Shinawatra, accompanied by senior Pheu Thai party leaders and senior military officers, made the first response to the controversy. “I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader, which has caused public resentment,” the 38-year-old PM said, seeking to calm the escalating crisis. This is barely ten months into her leadership, as her administration battles to rejuvenate a sluggish economy and steer through high-stakes trade negotiations, particularly with concerns of being trapped in a revived US tariff war under Donald Trump's regime.

Coalition Partner Quits Government

The conservative Bhumjaithai party withdrew formal support from the coalition, stating the Prime Minister's words had "tarnished the dignity of the nation and the military." The party's exit has reduced Ms Shinawatra to a thin majority in the 495-seat lower house, losing the support of a minimum of 69 Members of Parliament. This has generated increased speculation regarding an early general election, and even rumors of a possible military coup, a typical gambit in Thai politics.

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The Royal Thai Army has reacted with a cautious but strong statement, indicating its discomfort but not going so far as to openly confront. Army Chief General Pana Claewplodtook said to AFP that the military is "still committed to democratic principles and protection of national sovereignty." The diplomatic fallout adds another layer to the crisis. Relations between Thailand and Cambodia are reportedly at their lowest in years, due in part to a lingering border dispute that could flare up again. The leaked call is widely seen as a blow to already fragile bilateral ties.

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With support receding in Parliament and opposition groups mobilising, the fate of Ms Shinawatra's government remains uncertain. Her survival now hinges on whether she can win back confidence within her party and among coalition partners, while maintaining support from the military.