How a leaked phone call sparked resignation demands for Thai PM | Inside the 17-minute recording

Thai PM faces calls to quit after leaked phone call

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces resignation calls after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen over a border dispute sparked public outrage and led a key coalition partner to withdraw.

On June 18, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party Pheu Thai’s largest coalition partner withdrew from the government, accusing Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of damaging national pride and the military’s reputation.

The coalition’s collapse has plunged Thailand into renewed political turmoil amid efforts to revive a struggling economy.

"I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment," Paetongtarn said after pressure on her intensified.

What was the phone call about? 

Paetongtarn faced criticism for her seemingly deferential tone during the call, referring to Hun Sen as "uncle" and assuring him she would "take care" of his needs.

She was also accused of disrespecting Thailand’s powerful military after telling Hun Sen that a Thai commander involved in the latest border flare-up "just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful".

The close relationship between the Shinawatra and Hun families spans decades, with Hun Sen and Paetongtarn's father, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, referring to each other as "godbrothers".

Hun Sen revealed that he had shared the audio clip with 80 politicians, one of whom leaked it. He later posted the full 17-minute recording on his Facebook page.

Paetongtarn defended the call, describing it as a "negotiation technique", though opposition leaders have demanded her resignation.

Thailand’s foreign ministry, in a letter to the Cambodian ambassador, expressed being "deeply disappointed" over the disclosure of a "private telephone conversation".

"Trust and respect between the two leaders are fundamental to good neighbourliness and conduct among states," the letter stated.

It further noted that the leak "will severely affect ongoing efforts for both sides to resolve the problem in good faith".

Thailand Cambodia tensions 

This comes amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, sparked by a border clash in a disputed no man's land where both nations claim sovereignty and their armed forces recently exchanged fire.

Both the sides defended the move as self defence, one Cambodian soldier was killed in the firing.

Both the countries share a 820 km land border, parts of which are undemarcated and include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades.