Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has been in power for just ten months, is currently facing significant political turmoil. This instability was sparked by a leaked phone conversation between her and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has ignited public outrage and led to the resignation of a crucial coalition partner.

In the leaked audio, Paetongtarn, 38, affectionately refers to Hun Sen as “uncle,” a term that highlights their longstanding familial and political ties. During their conversation, she appears to downplay the handling of a contentious border dispute by a senior Thai military commander. Following the leak, she publicly expressed her remorse, stating, “I would like to apologize for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment.” The reaction from the public has been swift and intense, with increasing calls for her resignation.

The fallout from this incident has been severe, particularly with the Bhumjaithai party, which is the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, announcing its exit from the government on Wednesday. This departure has significantly weakened the ruling coalition, led by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party, leaving its future precarious as the coalition's stability now hangs by a thread. On Thursday, two other coalition partners convened to discuss their positions amidst the growing crisis.

According to a report by BBC, critics have been vocal in their condemnation of Paetongtarn’s apparent deference to Hun Sen and her dismissive remarks about the Thai military. She described the military's actions as merely an attempt to “look cool” and noted that their comments were “not useful.” In response to the backlash, Paetongtarn defended her remarks, labeling the conversation as a “negotiation technique.” Nevertheless, the political optics of the situation have proven to be damaging to her administration.

The Shinawatra family has a long history of close ties with Cambodia’s ruling family, further complicating matters. Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and Hun Sen have been known to refer to each other as “godbrothers,” a relationship that has bred mistrust among certain factions of Thai nationalists.

After the leak, Hun Sen indicated that he had shared the audio with around 80 politicians, and he later published the full 17-minute recording on Facebook, further amplifying the controversy. In an official response, Thailand’s foreign ministry expressed “deep disappointment” over the disclosure of what they termed a “private telephone conversation.” The ministry warned that this leak could severely impact ongoing efforts to resolve tensions amicably.

The diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has been strained, particularly following heightened border tensions that flared last month after the death of a Cambodian soldier during a military clash. This incident has led to a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations, with Cambodia imposing sweeping bans on Thai imports, including agricultural products, electricity, and even Thai television dramas. In turn, both countries have enacted new restrictions along their shared border.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is the youngest Prime Minister in Thai history and only the second woman to hold the office—after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra—ascended to power in August after the ousting of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by a court ruling. The current crisis poses a considerable challenge to her leadership as she navigates the treacherous waters of Thai politics.