Thai political tensions rise over Cambodia border dispute as premier apologizes for leaked audio

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra apologized on Thursday for a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen regarding the two countries' border issue.

Hun Sen posted the voice of the phone call on his Facebook page on Wednesday, in which Paetongtarn is heard criticizing the Thai army's 2nd Army Region commander, who has been openly critical of Cambodia over the disputed area, for the escalating border tension.

Paetongtarn, speaking at a news conference, described border tensions with Cambodia as "a threat to national security," urging people to "unite, not quarrel," Thai PBS reported.

She expressed her support for the army amid border tensions with Cambodia, claiming that her comments during the call were "a negotiating tactic."

Paetongtarn called the leak an "unacceptable conduct" by Hun Sen.

The Thai Foreign Ministry also summoned Cambodia's ambassador in Thailand to protest the conversation leak.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut called on Paetongtarn on Thursday to dissolve the house, as Thais demand her resignation from her position near the Government House.

Natthapong said the leak is Paetongtarn's latest major political debacle, which has "destroyed" her credibility.

"Some have demanded a House dissolution, for the PM to resign, and some have even called for unconstitutional measures, like a coup," he said.

Paetongtarn's father and aunt, both former prime ministers, were removed from office. Her father, Thaksin, was deposed in a military coup during a visit to the US in 2006, and her aunt, Yingluck, was removed by the Thai Constitutional Court in 2014.

Opposition parties Thai Sang Thai, Palang Pracharath, and the People's Party have all called for Paetongtarn's resignation.

The Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the government coalition on Wednesday, and its lawmaker Paradorn Prissananantakul resigned as second deputy House Speaker on Thursday, as did all of the party's ministers.

Separately, Thai army chief General Pana Claewplodtook​​​​​​​ said the military is committed to upholding the constitutional monarchy despite political tensions in the country, according to a statement released by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) on its official Facebook page.

The army emphasized that the "paramount imperative" is for "Thai people to stand united."

Tensions between two Southeast Asian countries rose on May 28 when troops from Thailand and Cambodia exchanged gunfire along their border, killing one Cambodian soldier.