One very damaging call

The leaked phone call between former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen —whom she addressed familiarly as “uncle” — is seen as a defining moment in modem Thai politics.

- 

What initially appeared to be an embarrassing diplomatic misstep was the catalyst for the collapse of her government and, ultimately, a deterioration in Thai-Cambodian relations that has culminated in border clashes under the administration led by Anutin Charnvirakul.This episode underscored the fragility of Thai governance, the enduring sensitivity of relations with Cambodia, and the speed with which personal diplomacy can spiral into strategic vulnerability.

When excerpts of the phone call surfaced, public reaction was swift and severe. While informal back-channel communication between regional leaders is not unusual, the tone and content of the conversation struck a nerve in Thailand. Critics accused Ms Paetongtarn of breaching diplomatic protocol, undermining institutional foreign policy mechanisms, and projecting an image of personal deference to Hun Sen — a figure long viewed with suspicion by segments of the Thai political and security establishment.

The controversy was not merely about etiquette. The call occurred amid heightened sensitivity over border issues, energy logistics, and Cambodia's increasingly assertive information strategy. For opponents of the government, the leak became a symbol of weak leadership and blurred lines between personal relationships and state interests.

Within coalition politics already strained by ideological differences and public dissatisfaction, the call proved politically radioactive. Coalition partners distanced themselves, parliamentary pressure mounted, and confidence in Ms Paetongtarn’s ability to manage national security eroded rapidly.