Defusing Government Crisis: Thai PM Heads to Northeast to Meet 'Opponent' Commander

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn will meet an army commander she referred to as an 'opponent' in a leaked phone conversation on Friday as she works to defuse a crisis that could topple her government.

The 38-year-old leader, who has been in office for less than a year, was forced to issue a public apology on June 19 after a phone call between her and Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen leaked online, sparking widespread outrage.

Paetongtarn's main coalition ally, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, announced on June 18 it would withdraw from the government, citing her insult to the nation and the army, pushing her government to the brink of collapse.

The next day, another key coalition ally–the Democrat Party–pledged to remain in the government.

The party declared: “The Democrat Party will remain in the government to help address the challenges currently faced by the country.”

Another coalition party, the National Development Party, announced late on June 19, after emergency talks with the Democrats and the Thai Nation Building Party regarding the crisis, that it would not leave the government.

With the departure of the Bhumjaithai Party, the government led by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party now holds only a slim majority in parliament.

Losing another key partner could collapse the government, plunging Thailand into new political turmoil at a time when it is grappling with economic stagnation and threats of trade tariffs from U.S. President Trump.

Amid recent border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, Paetongtarn traveled to northeastern Thailand on June 20 to seek reconciliation with Second Army Region Commander Lt. Gen. Bansin.

According to a report by the Bangkok Post, in the leaked audio, Paetongtarn referred to Cambodia’s Hun Sen as 'uncle' and asked him not to listen to 'our opponents,' such as 'Second Army Region Commander Bansin,' as these statements 'did not represent our intentions.'

Thailand has officially protested the leak to Cambodia, calling it a violation of diplomatic etiquette that has harmed mutual trust.

Regarding the leaked audio by Hun Sen, Thai news outlet Thairath published a commentary titled “A Political Coming-of-Age Ceremony for the Young Rabbit by the Old Fox,” stating that the context in which 'family friendships' came before national sovereignty and military dignity completely struck the army's bottom line, the public's emotions, and the nation's identity red line.

The article likens Hun Sen and Paetongtarn to an old fox and a young rabbit: “On one side, we have Paetongtarn, a 38-year-old political newcomer who took office not long ago, exuding a bit of youthful inexperience. On the other, we have Hun Sen, a seasoned veteran who has dominated Southeast Asia's political stage for decades. When the old fox meets the young rabbit, a despicable and bloody political coming-of-age ritual unfolds. This marks the first time Paetongtarn, raised within the 'greenhouse' environment created by the Shinawatra family, has tangibly experienced the ruthless pressure of 'realpolitik.'”

The article suggests Paetongtarn misjudged her father's 'old friend' Hun Sen, whom she has referred to as “uncle” since childhood. However, she failed to anticipate that Hun Sen is no longer the unconditional ally of her father’s era, but a savvy and seasoned 'old fox' who understands the art of power struggles.

The article lists three crises Thailand is facing as a result:

1. A crisis of diplomatic credibility: Cambodia blatantly violated diplomatic etiquette by leaking a private conversation, severely undermining the Thai government’s reputation.

2. A deepened rift between the military and government: Despite Paetongtarn repeatedly claiming there is 'no discord' with the army, the wording of the leaked conversation has irreversibly damaged military morale and honor.

3. Erosion of public trust: How can citizens believe a national leader who degrades her country's interests and officials in a private conversation has the ability to uphold national dignity?

The article details that on June 19, Paetongtarn held a press conference. With tears in her eyes, she apologized to the people of Thailand. To some, this showed weakness and helplessness, but to others, it represented a political novice learning resilience in the face of a storm. She stated: “I had no knowledge that the recording would be made public. I have explained the situation to the military. Henceforth, I will never engage in any private discussions with Hun Sen. The government and military will cooperate to maintain national sovereignty.” She chose to confront the crisis rather than evade it, which is already more commendable than the reactions of many other politicians.

This was a political coming-of-age ceremony meticulously designed by the 'old fox' for the 'young rabbit.' While it may politically wound Paetongtarn and tarnish her reputation, if she can learn from this experience, establish true crisis management systems, restructure civil-military relations, and break away from the fate of 'dynastic politics,' she could emerge as one of the youngest yet most mature Prime Ministers in modern Thai history. Only then will she truly be qualified to lead the future of the nation.

The article concludes by hoping that Paetongtarn will not only learn how to be a Prime Minister through this ordeal but also how to become a true 'national leader.'