Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a crisis after a leaked call with Hun Sen sparks coalition collapse and protests. Explore the fallout and Thailand’s political turmoil.
On June 18, 2025, Thailand’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil following the leak of a private phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The 17-minute audio, which surfaced amid an escalating border dispute between the two nations, has triggered a cascade of consequences, including the collapse of Paetongtarn’s coalition government, widespread public outrage, and calls for her resignation. This article examines the details of the crisis, its implications, and the broader context of Thailand’s volatile political history.
The Leaked Phone Call: What Happened?
The leaked audio captured a conversation on June 15, 2025, in which Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s youngest prime minister at 38, discussed a simmering border dispute with Hun Sen, a long-time Cambodian strongman who stepped down as prime minister in 2023 but retains significant influence. In the call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle,” reflecting the close ties between the Shinawatra family and the Hun family, and urged him to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute, which had already claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier in May 2025.
Controversially, Paetongtarn Shinawatra referred to a Thai army general in the northeast as her “opponent” and dismissed his actions as an attempt to “look cool,” implying discord between her government and the military. She also suggested that the general was aligned with opposition forces, a remark that sparked fierce criticism for undermining the Thai army’s dignity and compromising national interests. Both sides confirmed the audio’s authenticity, and Hun Sen later released the full recording after an initial clip surfaced, escalating the diplomatic and domestic fallout.
Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry lodged a formal protest with Cambodia, calling the leak “a breach of diplomatic etiquette” and a “serious violation of trust.” The release of the recording has strained Thai-Cambodian relations, already tense due to accusations of Thai drone violations and troop deployments along the disputed border.
Political Fallout: Coalition Collapse and Public Backlash
The leaked call proved to be a tipping point for Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s fragile government, led by the Pheu Thai Party. On June 18, 2025, the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest member of the ruling coalition, announced its withdrawal, citing Paetongtarn’s conduct in the call as an affront to the nation and the military. This exit has left Pheu Thai with only a slim majority in parliament, teetering on the brink of collapse.
Public reaction was swift and severe. On June 19, 2025, nationalist protesters gathered outside Government House in Bangkok, waving Thai flags and demanding Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s resignation. Social media amplified the outrage, with critics accusing her of weakness in handling Cambodia and betraying Thailand’s military. The opposition People’s Party, successor to the disbanded Move Forward Party, called for fresh elections, with leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut declaring the leaked call “the last straw” in eroding public trust.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued a public apology on June 19, flanked by senior military officials and Pheu Thai leaders, insisting the call was private, made from her personal phone, and that she was unaware it was being recorded. She pledged full support for the military, but her explanation did little to quell the backlash.
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Context: A Fragile Premiership and Historical Instability
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who assumed office in August 2024 after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was ousted by a court order, is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, both of whom were toppled by military coups in 2006 and 2014, respectively. Her relative inexperience—she held no government position before becoming prime minister—has been a point of contention, compounded by her family’s polarizing legacy.
The Pheu Thai-led coalition, an uneasy alliance with conservative and pro-military parties, has faced challenges beyond the leaked call. A faltering economy forced Paetongtarn to freeze a $14 billion cash handout program, a key 2023 election promise, amid threats of U.S. tariffs, further eroding her party’s popularity. Internal coalition tensions also flared when Pheu Thai attempted to reassign the interior minister role from Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, a move that fueled the party’s exit.
Thailand’s history of political instability looms large. Since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, the country has endured a dozen military coups, and fears of another intervention have resurfaced. While analysts suggest the establishment may prefer judicial measures over a coup, the crisis has reignited concerns about democratic backsliding.
Regional Implications
The crisis has drawn attention from neighboring countries. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the leak as “unfortunate” and expressed hope for continued engagement between Thailand and Cambodia, noting recent discussions with both leaders. The border dispute, centered on an undemarcated area, remains a flashpoint, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of violating its sovereignty through drone flights and troop movements—claims Bangkok denies.
What’s Next?
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s political survival hangs in the balance. The loss of Bhumjaithai has weakened her coalition to just above the 248 votes needed for a parliamentary majority. Options include dissolving parliament for fresh elections, as demanded by the opposition, or attempting to form a new coalition with other parties. However, her damaged credibility and the Shinawatra family’s fraught history with Thailand’s conservative establishment make either path precarious.
The military’s response will be critical. Paetongtarn’s remarks in the leaked call have strained civilian-military relations, and while she appeared alongside army chiefs during her apology, underlying tensions persist. The opposition’s call for elections could reinvigorate the People’s Party, which won the most seats in 2023 but was blocked from forming a government by conservative senators.
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Conclusion
The leaked phone call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen has exposed deep fault lines in Thailand’s political system, from coalition fragility to civilian-military tensions and public distrust. Less than a year into her term, Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces an existential crisis that could end her premiership and further destabilize Thailand. As protests continue and diplomatic relations with Cambodia fray, the coming days will determine whether Paetongtarn can weather the storm or become the third Shinawatra to fall from power. The crisis underscores Thailand’s ongoing struggle for stable governance in a deeply divided nation.