Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Leaked Call Triggers Political Crisis: Is Her Government on the Edge?

Bangkok, Thailand – A political earthquake has shaken Thailand as PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the country’s second female and youngest-ever head of government, faces a possible collapse of her administration. The trigger? A 17-minute leaked phone call that is now at the center of an intensifying national controversy.

The 38-year-old prime minister, who assumed office less than a year ago, now finds herself cornered politically after a private conversation with Cambodia’s powerful former Prime Minister Hun Sen was made public. The recording, originally leaked partially and then posted in full by Hun Sen himself on Facebook, has opened a floodgate of criticism and shaken the foundations of Thailand’s ruling coalition.

The Leaked Call: What Did Paetongtarn Say?

On June 15, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a phone call with Hun Sen, a veteran Cambodian leader whom she affectionately called “Uncle” during their chat. The conversation revolved around escalating tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, a long-standing geopolitical flashpoint in Southeast Asia.

What shocked the Thai political establishment wasn’t just her informal tone, but the content of her statements. In the audio:

• She appeared submissive to Hun Sen, seeking diplomatic leniency.
• She criticized a senior Thai military commander, suggesting he was aligned with the opposition.
• Her remarks hinted at internal discord between the civilian government and military leadership — a highly sensitive subject in Thai politics.

The backlash was immediate. Critics labeled her behavior as inexperienced, reckless, and damaging to national sovereignty. Even her allies expressed concern over the implications of her statements.

Public Apology But Political Fallout Escalates

A visibly emotional Paetongtarn addressed the press the following day, offering a public apology.

“This was a private call made from my personal phone. I had no idea it was being recorded,” she told reporters in Bangkok.

However, the apology did little to calm the political storm. Her opponents used the moment to highlight her inexperience and questioned her loyalty to national interests.

Coalition Cracks: The Road to Government Collapse?

The political consequences of the leak became evident almost immediately. The Bhumjaithai Party, Thailand’s third-largest and a key member of the ruling coalition, withdrew its support, citing concerns over national security and loss of public trust.

With a slim majority in the 495-member lower house, Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party is now teetering on the edge. A few more defections from the fragile coalition could topple her government within days.

Thailand’s main opposition party, the People’s Reform Party, has already called for parliament’s dissolution and fresh elections, arguing that the prime minister has “lost the mandate of the people.”

Experts Weigh In: “An Unforgivable Error”

Dr. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a noted Thai academic at Kyoto University, believes the crisis goes beyond mere diplomacy.

“The real issue is trust. She labeled a high-ranking military official as part of the opposing camp. That’s unacceptable in any diplomatic setting, especially when said to a foreign leader,” said Pavin.

“Even if she distrusts the military, it should have never been voiced externally. This undermines both her leadership and Thailand’s national security.”

Who Is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?

Paetongtarn, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, represents a new generation of Thai leadership. With no prior government experience, she emerged rapidly through her family’s powerful political legacy. Her appointment was seen as both symbolic and transformative, with younger voters and reformists rallying behind her.

However, this incident now places her in a precarious position — either evolve quickly into a strong, calculated leader or risk being ousted before completing her first year in office.

What Happens Next?

Thailand finds itself at a crossroads:

• Will Paetongtarn survive the political backlash?
• Can she rebuild trust with her coalition partners?
• Or will Thailand head for another round of early elections in 2025?

Analysts believe the next few weeks will be crucial. If additional coalition parties break ranks, it’s likely the government will fall, making this one of the shortest prime ministerial tenures in modern Thai history.

Final Thoughts

The leaked phone call has exposed cracks not just in Thailand’s political coalition, but in the very credibility of its leadership. Whether Paetongtarn can weather the storm remains to be seen, but the incident is a reminder of the high stakes in geopolitics and the power of information in the digital age.

In Thailand, where military influence still runs deep and regional diplomacy is a delicate game, even a single phone call can change everything.