Paetongtarn’s conversation with Hun Sen has hit a nerve in Thailand’s fragile civil-military dynamics and regional diplomacy, analysts say
In the leaked audio clip which emerged on Wednesday, Paetongtarn was heard addressing Hun Sen, a family friend, as “uncle” and appeared to dismiss a Thai military commander.
The clip has sparked outrage from quarters of the country’s ruling coalition, including the withdrawal of a key royalist partner group of Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party, as well as calls for her to resign.
“I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment,” Paetongtarn, 38, said on Thursday.
Greg Raymond, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs, said he had heard the leaked call, which might “spell the end” for Paetongtarn, adding however: “I suspect no coup will take place.”
