Thai PM apologises for leaked Cambodia call causing political crisis

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on June 19 apologised for her leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that has provoked widespread anger and put her government on the brink of collapse.

Her main coalition partner has quit and calls are mounting for her to resign or announce an election, throwing the kingdom into a fresh round of political instability as it seeks to boost its spluttering economy and avoid US President Donald Trump’s swingeing trade tariffs.

The conservative Bhumjaithai party pulled out on June 18, saying Ms Paetongtarn’s conduct in the leaked call had wounded the country and the army’s dignity.

As pressure grew on June 19, Ms Paetongtarn, the daughter of Mr Thaksin Shinawatra – Thailand’s most influential but controversial modern politician – apologised at a press conference alongside military chiefs and senior figures from her Pheu Thai party.

“I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment,” Ms Paetongtarn told reporters.

In the call, Ms Paetongtarn is heard discussing an ongoing border dispute with Mr Hun Sen – who stepped down as Cambodian prime minister in 2023 after four decades but still wields considerable influence.

She addresses the veteran leader as “uncle” and refers to the Thai army commander in the country’s north-east as her opponent, a remark that sparked fierce criticism on social media.

The loss of Bhumjaithai’s 69 MPs left Ms Paetongtarn with barely enough votes to scrape a majority in Parliament, and a snap election looks a clear possibility – barely two years after the last one in May 2023.

Two other coalition parties, the United Thai Nation and Democrat Party, will hold meetings to discuss the situation later on June 19.

Ms Paetongtarn will be hoping