Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: How a leaked phone call between a former strongman and a young leader could topple a government

Reuters

Thai Pm Under Mounting Pressure Ruling Coalition Hangs By Thread 2025 06 19

Time

Is Thailand on the Cusp of Another Coup?

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government faces potential collapse after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen prompted the conservative Bhumjaithai party to withdraw from her coalition on Wednesday amidst public anger.

BBC News

Al-Jazeera

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government faces potential collapse after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen prompted the conservative Bhumjaithai party to withdraw from her coalition on Wednesday amidst public anger.

In the leaked June 15 call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai army commander as being part of "the other side," describing him as someone who "just wants to look cool" while discussing border tensions between the countries.</span

The Diplomat

In the leaked June 15 call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai army commander as being part of "the other side," describing him as someone who "just wants to look cool" while discussing border tensions between the countries.

The withdrawal of Bhumjaithai's 69 MPs leaves Paetongtarn's coalition with only 261 seats in the 500-member parliament, creating a slim majority that could collapse if additional coalition partners defect from the government.</span

The Straits Times

The withdrawal of Bhumjaithai's 69 MPs leaves Paetongtarn's coalition with only 261 seats in the 500-member parliament, creating a slim majority that could collapse if additional coalition partners defect from the government.

Hun Sen confirmed he recorded the 17-minute conversation and shared it with approximately 80 Cambodian officials before it was leaked, later posting the full audio on his Facebook page while denying he personally leaked the excerpt.</span

Bangkokpost

Hun Sen confirmed he recorded the 17-minute conversation and shared it with approximately 80 Cambodian officials before it was leaked, later posting the full audio on his Facebook page while denying he personally leaked the excerpt.

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut called for Paetongtarn to dissolve parliament and hold new elections, describing the leaked call as "the last straw" that destroyed public trust in her leadership after just 10 months in office.</span

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut called for Paetongtarn to dissolve parliament and hold new elections, describing the leaked call as "the last straw" that destroyed public trust in her leadership after just 10 months in office.

Thailand's military issued a statement affirming its "commitment to democratic principles" while emphasizing national unity. A Cambodian soldier was killed in the last border clash in May in a dispute that has persisted since borders were drawn during the French occupation of Cambodia.

The Jakarta Post

France 24

Thailand's military issued a statement affirming its "commitment to democratic principles" while emphasizing national unity. A Cambodian soldier was killed in the last border clash in May in a dispute that has persisted since borders were drawn during the French occupation of Cambodia.

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Thailand's military issued a statement affirming its "commitment to democratic principles" while emphasizing national unity, as speculation mounted about potential military intervention given the country's history of 12 coups since 1932.</span

The Jakarta Post #

France 24 #

Thailand's military issued a statement affirming its "commitment to democratic principles" while emphasizing national unity, as speculation mounted about potential military intervention given the country's history of 12 coups since 1932.

The prime minister was conducting legitimate diplomacy to prevent military escalation with Cambodia, using negotiation tactics to defuse tensions. Her critics are exploiting this private conversation to destabilize a democratically elected government for political gain.

The prime minister was conducting legitimate diplomacy to prevent military escalation with Cambodia, using negotiation tactics to defuse tensions. Her critics are exploiting this private conversation to destabilize a democratically elected government for political gain.

Nationthailand

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Thai government issues statement on Paetongtarns call with Hun Sen, reaffirms commitment to national sovereignty

Thai government in crisis amid fallout from PM’s leaked phone call

Thai PM Faces Coalition Collapse After Leaked Cambodia Call

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This leaked call exposes Paetongtarn's fundamental weakness and inexperience in handling national security matters. Her casual dismissal of military commanders while kowtowing to a foreign leader demonstrates she's unfit to lead Thailand during this critical border crisis.

This leaked call exposes Paetongtarn's fundamental weakness and inexperience in handling national security matters. Her casual dismissal of military commanders while kowtowing to a foreign leader demonstrates she's unfit to lead Thailand during this critical border crisis.

Thai PM clings on as crisis threatens to topple government

Thai Government Rocked By Withdrawal Of Major Coalition Party

Thai PM Faces Coalition Collapse After Leaked Cambodia Call

Thai PM Faces Coalition Collapse After Leaked Cambodia Call

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Thai PM Faces Coalition Collapse After Leaked Cambodia Call

Thai PM Faces Coalition Collapse After Leaked Cambodia Call

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