Thai PM axed after 'uncle' remark in leaked Cambodia call scandal

Thailand’s political scene was thrown into disarray after the Constitutional Court ordered Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down temporarily pending an ethics investigation. The suspension, announced Tuesday, follows a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, which sparked widespread backlash and raised questions over national security and diplomacy.

What Sparked the Suspension?

The controversy centers around a phone call made on June 15 between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, just weeks after a deadly border clash on May 28 that left a Cambodian soldier dead. The recording, made and leaked by Hun Sen himself, reportedly circulated among more than 80 individuals before going public.

In the conversation, Paetongtarn is heard discussing strategies to ease Thailand-Cambodia border tensions. She refers to Hun Sen affectionately as “uncle,” reflecting his long-standing friendship with her father, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Critics took issue with Paetongtarn’s tone and comments, accusing her of being too conciliatory. She advised Hun Sen to ignore dissenting voices in Thailand and singled out a Thai army commander critical of Cambodia, calling him “an opponent” and accusing him of “trying to look cool.” She also offered to “manage” whatever Hun Sen needed, which critics say undercut Thailand’s military and diplomatic authority.

Despite offering a public apology, Paetongtarn defended her remarks, calling them a part of a broader negotiation strategy and denying any wrongdoing or harm to Thailand’s national interests.

Rising Tensions and Border Dispute

The phone call added fuel to an already tense border situation. The May 28 firefight occurred in a long-disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia. While both governments later expressed willingness to de-escalate, retaliatory measures ensued. Thailand enforced tight border controls, while Cambodia responded by banning Thai media, suspending electricity and internet services, halting fruit and vegetable imports, and stopping fuel supplies from Thailand.

At the heart of the dispute is a contested 800-km land border, much of which remains unmarked. The disagreement is largely rooted in a 1907 colonial-era map drawn by the French, which Cambodia relies on to assert its territorial claims. Thailand disputes the map’s accuracy, and the matter has long been a flashpoint between the two nations.

What Happens Next?

The Constitutional Court will continue its investigation to determine if Paetongtarn violated ethical standards in her conversation with Hun Sen. Until then, she remains suspended from office, plunging the Thai government into uncertainty. Her suspension also complicates ongoing efforts to manage diplomatic tensions with Cambodia, as the border conflict and trade restrictions continue to escalate.

Observers warn that the fallout from this political crisis could deepen rifts in Thailand’s civil-military relations and reshape the country’s foreign policy approach in the region.