Thai PM Apologises for Leaked Call That Put Government at Risk

Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, apologised after a leaked phone conversation with the former Cambodian leader Hun Sen prompted public anger and threatened the collapse of her government.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe

In the leaked call, Paetongtarn, the daughter of the populist former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, discusses a continuing border dispute with Hun Sen, who is known to be a friend of her family.

In the recording, she can be heard criticising a senior Thai commander who she said "just wanted to look tough", describing him as an opponent. Addressing Hun Sen as "uncle", she said that if he wanted anything to "just let me know, I'll take care of it".

Paetongtarn told a press conference on Thursday: "I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment."

Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for almost four decades, was succeeded by his son, Hun Manet, the current prime minister, in 2023, but remains politically powerful.

Paetongtarn said her comments were a negotiating tactic, but this has done little to quell public anger.