Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to meet a senior army commander today in a bid to defuse a political crisis triggered by a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The call, which appeared online earlier this week, referred to Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang as her “opponent” — a remark that has placed her fragile coalition government at risk.
The 38-year-old premier, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, issued a public apology on Thursday after her remarks angered coalition partners and the military establishment. Surrounded by top military and police officials during the address, Paetongtarn expressed regret over the call, which critics say undermined national unity and offended the Thai armed forces.
The crisis escalated when the Bhumjaithai party, one of her main conservative coalition partners, withdrew its support on June 18, saying the call insulted the country and the army. With their exit, the ruling coalition led by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party now holds only a narrow majority in Parliament.
However, the situation showed signs of stabilizing after the Democrat Party — another key conservative ally — declared its intention to remain in government. In a statement released Friday morning, the party said it would stay to “help resolve the challenges the country is currently facing.” The Chartthaipattana party also confirmed it would not withdraw, following late-night crisis talks with other partners.
Despite these reassurances, Paetongtarn’s government remains on shaky ground. Her upcoming meeting with Lt Gen Boonsin in northeastern Thailand — the site of ongoing border tensions with Cambodia — is seen as a critical gesture of reconciliation. The leaked call reportedly involved discussion of this border dispute, prompting a formal protest from Thailand to Cambodia for breaching diplomatic protocols.
Paetongtarn’s critics have accused her of appearing submissive in the call with Hun Sen, and her dismissive tone towards a military commander has further strained civil-military relations. In a country where the armed forces play a significant role in politics, such remarks can have serious consequences.
Although Thursday saw minor protests and calls for her resignation or fresh elections, support from some coalition partners and her public contrition may help her weather the immediate storm. Still, with a razor-thin majority and a fragile alliance with traditionally pro-military parties — many of whom have clashed with her father in the past — her hold on power remains uncertain.
Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 military coup, continues to influence Thai politics from behind the scenes. While still popular among rural voters for his pro-poor policies, he is viewed with deep suspicion by Thailand’s conservative elite, who regard his rule as corrupt and destabilizing.
As Thailand grapples with internal instability and economic headwinds, including the threat of trade tariffs from the United States, all eyes will be on Paetongtarn’s next moves. Her efforts to repair ties with the military and retain coalition unity may determine whether her government survives the weeks ahead.
