Thailand’s political landscape was rocked on June 18, 2025, when the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest partner in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s coalition government, announced its withdrawal, citing a leaked phone conversation between the Thai premier and Cambodia’s influential former leader, Hun Sen.
The move, which saw all eight Bhumjaithai cabinet ministers submit their resignations effective June 19, has plunged Paetongtarn’s administration into a crisis, weakening her coalition’s parliamentary majority and intensifying public and political scrutiny over her leadership. The controversy, centered on a June 15 phone call, has sparked debates about national sovereignty, military relations, and diplomatic conduct, while also exposing underlying tensions within the coalition.
The Bhumjaithai Party, holding 69 seats in Thailand’s House of Representatives, announced its departure from the coalition on Wednesday evening, delivering a blow to Paetongtarn’s government. The party’s statement highlighted the leaked phone call as the “last straw,” accusing the prime minister of conduct that damaged Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.
The Thai News Agency (TNA) reported that Bhumjaithai’s executive committee unanimously voted to withdraw, with party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, also the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, leading the charge. The resignations leave Paetongtarn’s coalition with a slim majority, raising questions about its stability and ability to govern effectively.
The withdrawal was not entirely unexpected. Tensions between Bhumjaithai and Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party had been simmering, particularly over control of the powerful Interior Ministry. Reports indicate that Pheu Thai sought to reclaim the ministry, offering Bhumjaithai two alternative portfolios—Health Minister and a Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office—in exchange.
Bhumjaithai rejected the proposal, with Anutin firmly stating that the party would not accept any terms that did not include a complete reallocation of ministries across all coalition partners. Sources within Bhumjaithai revealed that ministers had already begun clearing their offices in anticipation of a cabinet reshuffle that failed to honor prior agreements, suggesting that the phone call controversy provided a convenient pretext for an exit that was already in motion.
At the heart of the crisis is a leaked 17-minute phone conversation from June 15, 2025, between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister and current Senate President. The audio, confirmed as authentic by both leaders, captured Paetongtarn addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and discussing a contentious border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. In the nine-minute clip that surfaced publicly, Paetongtarn urged Hun Sen not to heed “the opposite side,” specifically referencing Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region, which oversees the northeastern border. She described the general as an “opponent” whose public statements—particularly his assertion that Thailand was “ready to fight”—were not beneficial to the nation and could escalate tensions.
In the leaked call, Paetongtarn expressed a desire for peace and claimed she was under domestic pressure, a stance that many in Thailand interpreted as undermining the military and compromising national interests. Hun Sen, for his part, criticized the Thai military, alleging that Cambodia had complied with Thai requests for troop repositioning only for Thailand to restrict border access unilaterally. He further claimed that Paetongtarn’s government was “unable to control its military the way our country can,” a statement that further inflamed nationalist sentiments in Thailand.
Hun Sen admitted to recording the conversation and sharing it with approximately 80 Cambodian officials. He offered to release the unedited recording if Thailand requested it, a move Paetongtarn condemned as a breach of trust. At an urgent press conference on June 18, Paetongtarn defended her remarks, explaining that calling Hun Sen “uncle” was a diplomatic tactic reflecting their personal rapport, given the long-standing ties between Hun Sen and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
She insisted the conversation was private and aimed at de-escalating border tensions, not creating conflict with the Thai military. However, her clarification did little to quell public outrage, with opposition groups and social media users calling for her resignation, some even speculating about the risk of a military coup.
The leaked call has had far-reaching consequences. Bhumjaithai’s withdrawal has left Paetongtarn’s coalition vulnerable, with attention now turning to whether other partners, such as the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), will remain loyal. UTN has confirmed its commitment to the coalition, but internal divisions within the party could still pose risks. The loss of Bhumjaithai’s 69 seats has reduced the coalition’s parliamentary strength, making it harder for Paetongtarn to push through her agenda, including economic reforms to counter looming U.S. tariffs.
Public reaction has been intense, with the leaked audio going viral and fueling criticism of Paetongtarn’s diplomatic inexperience. At 38, she is Thailand’s youngest prime minister and has been in office for less than a year, thrust into the role after her predecessor’s court-ordered removal. Her critics argue that her comments in the call undermined the military’s authority and Thailand’s negotiating position in the border dispute. Lt. Gen. Boonsin, the target of her remarks, responded diplomatically, stating that Paetongtarn had clarified her intentions and that he remained focused on his duties. The Royal Thai Army also expressed support for Boonsin, further highlighting the strained civil-military relations.
While the leaked call was the stated reason for Bhumjaithai’s exit, analysts suggest that the move was also driven by strategic calculations. The party has been under pressure from an Election Commission investigation into alleged Senate vote-rigging, which could lead to a constitutional crisis if charges proceed. Anutin has denied these allegations, focusing on the party’s adherence to legal directives.
Additionally, Bhumjaithai’s insistence on retaining the Interior Ministry reflects its desire to maintain influence over local governance and patronage networks, a key source of political power. The proposed cabinet reshuffle, which threatened to strip Bhumjaithai of this portfolio, was a point of contention, with the party signaling its readiness to join the opposition as early as June 17.
The controversy also plays into broader nationalist sentiments. Cambodia’s push, led by Hun Sen’s son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, to refer the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heightened public sensitivity to any perceived concessions. Paetongtarn’s attempt to frame the call as a peace-seeking effort has been overshadowed by accusations that she compromised Thailand’s dignity, a sentiment Bhumjaithai capitalized on to justify its withdrawal.
Paetongtarn’s government now faces an uncertain future. With a weakened coalition and declining popularity, her administration must navigate the border dispute, economic challenges, and internal coalition dynamics. The prime minister has vowed to end private talks with Hun Sen and pursue a peaceful resolution to the border issue, but her ability to stabilize her government will depend on her handling of the reshuffle and rebuilding public trust.
All photos credit PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra official X account.
