### Political Turmoil in Thailand: Prime Minister's Leaked Call with Hun Sen Sparks Crisis - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is embroiled in a political crisis following the leak of a phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, where she discussed a border dispute and referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" [https://fortune.com/asia/2025/06/19/thailand-prime-minister-coalition-crisis-leaked-phone-call]. - The leak has led to significant backlash, with her main coalition partner resigning and calls for her resignation intensifying [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-pm-apologises-leaked-audio-call-cambodia-hun-sen-5191586]. - In her apology, Paetongtarn blamed her military for exacerbating the border tensions, further complicating her political standing [https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3314961/thai-pm-blames-her-military-worsening-cambodia-border-row-stirring-political-storm]. ### Breakdown of the Political Crisis 1. **Leak of the Phone Call**: The unauthorized release of a private conversation between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen has triggered a political uproar, threatening the stability of her government [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3463399-leaked-call-causes-stir-thai-pm-apologizes]. 2. **Coalition Partner Resignation**: The fallout from the leak has led to the resignation of a key coalition partner, which could jeopardize the ruling coalition's majority [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-pm-apologises-leaked-audio-call-cambodia-hun-sen-5191586]. 3. **Public and Political Reaction**: There is growing public outrage and demands for Paetongtarn's resignation, as opposition groups capitalize on the situation to challenge her leadership [https://thenightly.com.au/world/thai-pm-faces-growing-calls-to-quit-after-call-with-former-cambodia-leader-leaked-c-19085025]. 4. **Military Blame**: In her defense, Paetongtarn has pointed fingers at the military for the ongoing border dispute, which has further polarized her support base [https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3314961/thai-pm-blames-her-military-worsening-cambodia-border-row-stirring-political-storm]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Political Fallout**: The resignation of a coalition partner is a critical indicator of the instability within the government, as it reduces the ruling coalition's power in parliament [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-pm-apologises-leaked-audio-call-cambodia-hun-sen-5191586]. - **Public Sentiment**: Polls and public statements reflect a significant portion of the population calling for Paetongtarn's resignation, indicating a loss of confidence in her leadership [https://thenightly.com.au/world/thai-pm-faces-growing-calls-to-quit-after-call-with-former-cambodia-leader-leaked-c-19085025]. - **Military Relations**: The relationship between the government and military is strained, as evidenced by Paetongtarn's public criticism of military actions regarding the border dispute [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/thai-pm-s-leaked-chat-with-hun-sen-triggers-political-turmoil]. ### Conclusion: A Government on the Brink - **Crisis Overview**: The leaked phone call has catalyzed a political crisis for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leading to her coalition partner's resignation and widespread calls for her to step down. - **Key Points**: 1. The leak has destabilized the government, threatening its majority in parliament. 2. Public outrage is mounting, with significant pressure on Paetongtarn to resign. 3. The prime minister's attempt to shift blame onto the military has not quelled the political storm. - **Future Implications**: The ongoing situation could lead to further political instability in Thailand, as opposition parties seek to exploit the crisis for their gain [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-pm-apologises-for-leaked-cambodia-call-causing-political-crisis].