Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has issued a public apology following the leak of a phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. This scandal has thrown her government into a serious political crisis and sparked widespread public outrage. The 17-minute recording, which was first shared by Hun Sen, revealed a discussion about a border dispute in which Paetongtarn referred to a Thai army commander as "an opponent" and called Hun Sen "uncle." This has led to accusations that she is undermining national interests and appearing weak on the international stage.

The situation has escalated rapidly, with the Bhumjaithai party, a crucial coalition partner, pulling its support from the government. They cited Paetongtarn's behavior in the leaked call as having "wounded the dignity of the country and the army." This withdrawal has pushed the ruling coalition to the edge of collapse, with increasing calls for the Prime Minister's resignation and rising street protests from nationalist groups. Opposition leaders are capitalizing on the incident, demanding accountability and even a snap election.

In her apology, which she delivered alongside military leaders and senior party members, Paetongtarn claimed she was unaware that the conversation was being recorded. She defended her remarks as a "negotiation tactic" intended to maintain peace and sovereignty. She stressed her dedication to the nation and the military, asserting that her goal was to ease tensions over the ongoing border dispute. However, her explanation has done little to calm the anger, especially regarding her perceived submission to Hun Sen and her critical comments about the Thai military.

Adding a diplomatic dimension to the crisis, Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry has formally protested to the Cambodian ambassador, labeling the leak as "unacceptable" and a "breach of diplomatic etiquette and trust." This incident highlights the precarious nature of Thai politics and the complicated relationship with its neighbors, raising serious concerns about Paetongtarn's immediate future.