Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces protests after a leaked call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen. Read about the Bangkok rallies and political crisis.
Bangkok, Thailand – On June 28, 2025, thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Bangkok, rallying at Victory Monument to demand the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The demonstrations, the largest anti-government protests since the Pheu Thai Party took power in 2023, were sparked by a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, raising concerns about national sovereignty and leadership integrity. This article verifies the unfolding crisis and its implications for Thailand’s political landscape.
The Leaked Call: A Catalyst for Controversy
On June 15, 2025, Paetongtarn, Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister and daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, held a private conversation with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s influential ex-leader and current Senate President. The call, intended to address tensions following a May 28 border clash that left one Cambodian soldier dead, was leaked on June 18, with Hun Sen releasing the full 17-minute audio on his Facebook page. In the recording, Paetongtarn referred to a Thai military commander as her “opponent” and addressed Hun Sen as “uncle,” a term critics interpreted as overly deferential and undermining Thailand’s sovereignty.
The leaked call, which Paetongtarn described as a “negotiation tactic” to de-escalate border tensions, has been widely criticized for portraying her as weak and overly conciliatory toward Cambodia. Ultra-royalist politician Warong Detkijwikrom, addressing protesters, accused Paetongtarn of “selling the country” to Cambodia, contrasting her actions with her father’s alleged corruption. The remarks have fueled nationalist outrage, particularly given the historical sensitivity of the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, centered around the Preah Vihear temple, which was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 and reaffirmed in 2013.
Protests Erupt in Bangkok
On Saturday, June 28, approximately 4,000 anti-government protesters gathered at Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and chanting slogans like “Paetongtarn, get out!” The rally, organized by the Ruam Palang Paendin Pokpong Athipatai (United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty), marked a significant escalation in public dissent. Protesters, including 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, expressed distrust in Paetongtarn’s leadership, with many citing her comments in the leaked call as evidence of her unfitness to govern. “After I heard the leaked call, I knew I couldn’t trust her,” Seri told Agence France-Presse.
The protests, while peaceful, echoed Thailand’s history of politically charged demonstrations, some of which led to military coups in 2006 and 2014 that ousted Shinawatra-linked governments. Unlike past rallies dominated by the “Yellow Shirts,” Saturday’s protesters largely wore white, signaling a shift in the visual identity of the movement but retaining nationalist symbols like flag-themed accessories.
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Political Fallout: Coalition Crumbles and No-Confidence Vote Looms
The leaked call has triggered a political crisis for Paetongtarn’s government. The Bhumjaithai Party, a key coalition partner, withdrew its support last week, citing risks to Thai sovereignty, leaving Paetongtarn with a slim parliamentary majority. The government is now bracing for a no-confidence vote when parliament reconvenes next week, a move that could further destabilize her administration. Additionally, a group of senators has petitioned the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body to investigate Paetongtarn’s conduct, alleging breaches of the Constitution and ethical standards. These legal challenges could lead to her removal from office.
Hun Sen’s actions have further inflamed tensions. On June 27, he accused Paetongtarn of insulting the Thai monarchy by criticizing the military commander, a claim that carries significant weight in Thailand, where the monarchy is deeply revered. He also vowed to protect Cambodia’s territory and condemned Thai forces for the May border clash, escalating diplomatic friction. Cambodia’s current Prime Minister, Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s son, announced a halt to fuel and gasimports from Thailand, signaling a further deterioration in bilateral relations.
Paetongtarn’s Response and Diplomatic Efforts
Paetongtarn, who was visiting flood-hit Chiang Rai on Saturday, acknowledged the protesters’ right to demonstrate but urged for peaceful dialogue. She has apologized for her remarks in the leaked call, insisting they were part of a diplomatic strategy to ease tensions with Cambodia. On June 27, she held an urgent call with French President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly to discuss the border situation and Hun Sen’s provocative stance, though details of the conversation remain undisclosed.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has lodged a formal protest with Cambodia, expressing “deep disappointment” over the leak of a private diplomatic conversation. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra criticized Hun Sen’s actions as a violation of ASEAN principles and international norms, questioning Cambodia’s motives and pointing to its reputation as a hub for transnational crime.
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Historical Context and Regional Implications
The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, particularly over the Preah Vihear temple, has long been a flashpoint. The 1962 ICJ ruling and subsequent clashes in 2011 have kept nationalist sentiments alive on both sides. The leaked call has reignited these tensions, with Hun Sen’s decision to release the audio puzzling analysts, given the historically close ties between the Shinawatra family and Cambodia’s leadership. Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin, and Hun Sen share a decades-long friendship, with the two referring to each other as “godbrothers.”
The crisis also highlights the risks of informal diplomacy in Southeast Asia, where ASEAN’s reliance on personal rapport can backfire without procedural safeguards. Political analysts suggest that Paetongtarn’s inexperience—she has been in office for only ten months—may have contributed to the mishandling of the call. “The political scientists we’ve been speaking to think it is going to be very difficult for Paetongtarn to survive as prime minister,” said an Al Jazeera report, noting the challenge of finding a viable replacement.
Economic and Political Stakes
Thailand is grappling with an ailing economy and ongoing trade negotiations with the United States to avoid tariffs, making political stability critical. The current crisis threatens to derail these efforts, with past protests having led to economic disruptions and military interventions. The Shinawatra family, a dominant force in Thai politics, faces yet another test, with Paetongtarn being the fourth family member to serve as prime minister. Her father, Thaksin, faces a lese-majeste trial next week, adding to the family’s legal and political woes.
Conclusion
The massive protests in Bangkok on June 28, 2025, underscore the fragility of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s leadership amid a diplomatic scandal. The leaked phone call with Hun Sen has not only sparked public outrage but also strained Thailand-Cambodia relations and weakened Paetongtarn’s coalition. As she faces a no-confidence vote and judicial scrutiny, the coming weeks will be pivotal for her political survival and Thailand’s stability. The Interview Times will continue to monitor this developing story for updates.