Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing a political crisis after a key coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew support late Wednesday. The move threatens to collapse her 10-month-old government amid growing pressure to resign.

Bhumjaithai cited national security concerns following a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. In the call, the 38-year-old premier sought a peaceful resolution to a territorial dispute and criticized a Thai army general. The leak sparked outrage and fears of military confrontation, prompting calls from opposition leaders for new elections.

Paetongtarn, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has seen her popularity decline amid a sluggish economy and allegations of undue influence by her father, a controversial figure in Thai politics. She apologized for the leak, met with military leaders, and called for national unity, stating the government fully supports the military.

The political fallout intensified as the United Thai Nation, Democrat, and Chart Thai Pattana parties scheduled emergency meetings. If either UTN or the Democrats pull out, Paetongtarn would lead a minority government. Thai stocks dropped 2.4% on Thursday amid growing investor uncertainty.

The opposition People’s Party, successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party, urged Paetongtarn to dissolve parliament and call elections, arguing the government lacks legitimacy. Its leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, said the leaked call was “the last straw.”

Thailand’s military, which ousted Thaksin-linked governments in 2006 and 2014, reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and national sovereignty in a Thursday statement. As political tensions rise, Paetongtarn’s future as prime minister appears increasingly uncertain.

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Why is the Emerald Triangle suddenly a crisis point?

Why did a leaked call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen cause such a storm?

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Who has left Paetongtarn’s coalition and why does it matter?

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Is this dispute putting Thailand’s Prime Minister in danger?

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Can this be resolved without war?

How did the leaked call impact Thai-Cambodian relations?

What’s behind the long-running border dispute?

Could Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign over the controversy?

What’s next for the Thai-Cambodian border conflict?

FAQs:

Tensions are rising fast around the Emerald Triangle, a remote but highly sensitive area where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet. It may look like a quiet border zone on the map, but recent clashes and military moves have made it a flashpoint that’s now threatening to spark a regional conflict—and possibly bring down Thailand’s Prime Minister.The Emerald Triangle came into global headlines when Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire near the disputed border in late May 2025. Since then, both countries have fortified positions, villagers have been caught in fear, and political pressure is mounting. At the heart of the issue: a long-standing disagreement over where exactly the border lies in this mountainous zone. But now, it’s not just a cartography issue—it’s a test of leadership, diplomacy, and peace in Southeast Asia.The Emerald Triangle border dispute isn’t new. Thailand and Cambodia have had overlapping claims in this forested, rugged area for years. But things turned dangerous on May 28, when both sides confirmed that troops had exchanged gunfire, leading to injuries and panic among border communities.According to Thailand’s military, Cambodian soldiers had started digging trenches in the disputed zone. Cambodia later said this was to protect its border post. In response, Thailand deployed reinforcements, closed local checkpoints, and put residents on alert. Some families began digging bunkers, fearing the worst.By early June, Cambodia agreed to stop the trench digging and restore the land, but not before the conflict stirred up political debate at home and across the region. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, now President of the Senate, claimed the land was rightfully Cambodian, based on internationally recognized maps. He also urged both countries to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle it legally.The phone call, reportedly shared by Hun Sen with 80 politicians before being leaked, featured Paetongtarn speaking candidly about a sensitive border dispute. She addressed Hun Sen — a long-time friend of her family — as “uncle” and criticized a Thai army officer involved in managing the flare-up at the Thai-Cambodian border.“He just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful,” she said of the Thai military commander, sparking a backlash over perceived disrespect to the powerful Thai military.While Paetongtarn later defended her comments as a “negotiation technique,” critics say the call showed weakness in leadership and compromised Thailand’s stance on a long-standing territorial dispute.On Wednesday, the Bhumjaithai Party, Thailand’s second-largest political party and a key member of the ruling coalition, officially withdrew support for Paetongtarn’s government. With its departure, the Peu Thai-led coalition now holds a razor-thin majority in parliament.Two more coalition parties are scheduled to meet later today to decide their stance — meaning a complete collapse of the ruling alliance is a real possibility.Paetongtarn apologized on Thursday, stating, “I would like to apologise for the leaked audio… which has caused public resentment,” but the damage might already be done.Thehas become a serious test for Thailand’s Prime Minister, who is already under pressure from coalition struggles and growing economic challenges. With the military on alert and the public nervous, any misstep could cost him his job—or worse, risk dragging the country into a deeper conflict.Srettha’s government is still new and doesn’t have full control over the military, which has a history of acting independently. The Thai armed forces are monitoring the border closely and may push for more aggressive moves if tensions flare up again. If the military loses faith in Srettha’s handling of national security, it could spark calls for a change in leadership.Political analysts in Bangkok have warned that the Emerald Triangle issue could become a—something that starts as a local skirmish but ends up. And in Thailand’s history, military pressure has often led to either reshuffling the Cabinet or full-blown coups.There’s still hope that diplomacy will win. On June 12, both Cambodia and Thailand agreed toafter a high-level meeting. Cambodia promised to fill the trenches, and both countries said they’d avoid further moves in disputed areas.But the story isn’t over.Hun Sen continues to press the ICJ route, saying only the international court can fairly settle the boundary issue. Thailand, on the other hand, hasn’t yet confirmed if it will agree to ICJ arbitration. Both sides claim to have official documents and maps backing their claims, and neither wants to back down publicly.That means the peace is fragile. While both governments may want to avoid war,, especially if local commanders or military units act on their own. That’s why experts are calling for—possibly from ASEAN or the UN.The leak added fuel to a simmering border row between the two nations. In May, a deadly clash at a contested border zone led to the death of a Cambodian soldier. Since then, tensions have escalated.In response to Thai restrictions, Cambodia banned the import of Thai fruits and vegetables, halted Thai dramas on TV and in cinemas, and reduced Thai internet and power usage. Meanwhile, Thailand also imposed tighter border controls and entry restrictions on Cambodian citizens.In a diplomatic letter, Thailand’s foreign ministry called the leak “deeply disappointing,” adding it “will severely affect ongoing efforts… to resolve the problem in good faith.”The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute stretches back more than a century, linked to a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule. Cambodia has cited that map to support its territorial claims, while Thailand rejects it as inaccurate.Disputed areas include sites like Mom Bei (Chong Bok) — where the May clash happened — and three ancient temples, including the Preah Vihear Temple, which was awarded to Cambodia in a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand accepted that ruling, but disputes about land surrounding the temple have continued to spark violence.Most recently, Cambodia submitted a new case to the ICJ over four disputed border points. Thailand, however, does not accept the court’s jurisdiction and prefers bilateral negotiations.The pressure on Paetongtarn, the youngest and only the second female prime minister in Thailand’s history, is growing. She took office in August 2024 after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was removed by the Constitutional Court for violating appointment rules.Opposition leaders and even some of her own coalition members have called for her to step down. Paetongtarn, daughter of exiled and now-returned former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also faces scrutiny over her family’s close ties with the Cambodian Hun political dynasty.Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former leader, has said he will no longer engage in private phone calls with Paetongtarn. He also admitted sharing the leaked audio and later posted the full 17-minute conversation on his official Facebook page.The fallout from the leaked call could shift regional dynamics. Cambodia has asked the ICJ to intervene, while Thailand remains firm in preferring bilateral talks. Both countries have shortened visa stays for each other’s citizens, and economic retaliation continues on both sides.Tensions remain high, with mass rallies in Phnom Penh on Wednesday drawing tens of thousands of Cambodians in support of their government’s firm stance. Hun Manet, Cambodia’s new Prime Minister and son of Hun Sen, addressed the crowds, saying, “When the country faces a threat… we will stand up in united spirit.”With national pride and political futures at stake in both nations, observers say the situation could deteriorate further unless cooler heads prevail.Because of a leaked phone call with Hun Sen that upset the public and political allies.A fatal border clash in May and fallout from the leaked call escalated the dispute.

Trump hosts Pakistan army chief Asim Munir for an unprecedented White House lunch, as the US and Pakistan reset ties.

Islamabad, Pakistan – In his first address to a joint session of Congress on March 4 this year, after becoming United States president for a second time, Donald Trump made a striking revelation.

He referred to the deadly Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport in August 2021 – which occurred as thousands of Afghans tried to flee following the Taliban takeover – and said the alleged perpetrator had been apprehended.

The country he credited with the arrest: Pakistan. “I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster,” Trump declared.

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A little more than three months later, Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir for lunch at the White House on Wednesday — the first time a US president has hosted a military chief from Pakistan who isn’t also the country’s head of state. Munir is on a five-day trip to the US.

For a country that Trump had, just seven years earlier, accused of giving the US “nothing but lies and deceit” and safe havens to terrorists – and one that his immediate predecessor Joe Biden called “one of the most dangerous nations” – this marks a dramatic shift.

It’s a reset that experts say has been in the making for weeks, under Trump’s second administration, and that was solidified by the brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, during which the US tried to mediate a ceasefire.

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Some analysts warn that the evolving relationship should be viewed as a product of Trump’s personal position, rather than institutional policy.

“We are dealing with an administration which changes its tune by the hour. There is no process here,” Marvin Weinbaum, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI), told Al Jazeera.

“One minute the US has no interest, and the next minute priorities change rapidly. You’re dealing with an administration that is mercurial and personalised, and you don’t associate that with traditional US foreign policy,” he added.

However, others point out that even the optics of Trump hosting Munir are significant.

“Trump’s lunch invite to Pakistan’s army chief isn’t just protocol-breaking, it’s protocol-redefining,” said Raza Ahmad Rumi, a distinguished lecturer at the City University of New York (CUNY). “It signals, quite visibly, that Pakistan is not just on Washington’s radar, it’s in the inner circle, at least for now.”

Reset amid regional crises

The meeting between Trump and Munir came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where Israel has been conducting strikes inside Iranian cities since June 13. Iran has retaliated with missile attacks of its own on Israel.

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The Israeli offensive – targeting Iranian generals, missile bases, nuclear facilities and scientists – has killed more than 200 people. Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Israel over the past six days have killed about 20 people.

The Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government has been urging the US to join the offensive against Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre-long (559-mile) border with Pakistan.

Speaking to the media in the Oval Office after the lunch with Munir on Wednesday, Trump noted that the Pakistanis “know Iran very well, better than most,” but added that they are “not happy”.

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According to Trump, however, the main reason for meeting Munir was to thank him for his role in defusing the May conflict between Pakistan and India, a confrontation that brought the region, home to more than 1.6 billion people, to the brink of nuclear war.

“The reason I had him here was that I wanted to thank him for not going into the war [with India]. And I want to thank PM [Narendra] Modi as well, who just left a few days ago. We’re working on a trade deal with India and Pakistan,” said Trump, who is known to enjoy a warm relationship with Indian leader Modi.

“These two very smart people decided not to keep going with a war that could have been a nuclear war. Pakistan and India are two big nuclear powers. I was honoured to meet him today,” he added, referring to Munir.

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The crisis had begun after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 Indian civilians. India blamed Pakistan, which denied the charge and called for a “credible, independent, transparent” investigation.

On May 7, India launched strikes inside Pakistani and Pakistan-administered Kashmir territories. Pakistan responded via its air force, claiming to have downed at least six Indian jets. India confirmed losses but did not specify numbers.

The conflict escalated as both sides exchanged drones for three days and eventually launched missiles at military targets on May 10. It ended only after intense backchannel diplomacy, particularly involving the US, led to a ceasefire.

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Trump reiterated his role on Wednesday. “I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. This man [Munir] was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi from the India side, and others,” he said.

While Pakistan has acknowledged the US role, India insists the ceasefire resulted solely from bilateral dialogue. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated on Tuesday that Indian PM Modi had spoken to Trump by phone to underscore New Delhi’s view that there was no US-led mediation between India and Pakistan.

Arif Ansar, chief strategist at Washington-based advisory firm PoliTact, said Pakistan’s military performance during the confrontation prompted Trump’s engagement.

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“It demonstrated that despite its political and economic challenges, the country can outmanoeuvre a much bigger adversary,” Ansar told Al Jazeera. “This has led President Trump to engage with Pakistan’s traditional power centres based on core strategic interests.”

“Opportunity to reassert relevance”

That engagement has a long history.

Pakistan’s relationship with the US dates back to its 1947 independence, after which it aligned with Washington during the Cold War. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan supported US objectives there, and the two collaborated closely to support the mujahideen that eventually forced Moscow to pull out its troops.

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Subsequently, Pakistan also backed the post-9/11 US “war on terror”.

However, over the years, many within the US strategic community also started questioning Pakistan’s credibility as a reliable security partner, especially after 9/11 architect Osama bin Laden was found in Abbottabad, close to Rawalpindi, home to Pakistan’s military headquarters in 2011.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the strategic partnership has waned further. Pakistan has increasingly turned towards China for economic, military and technological support.

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But Weinbaum said that since Trump returned to office, Pakistan has been getting respect that was lacking under the previous Biden administration.

Trump wanted “counterterrorism assistance,” Weinbaum said – and seemingly got it.

On June 10, General Michael E Kurilla, chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), detailed how that cooperation led to the capture of the suspected Abbey Gate bomber.

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“They [Pakistan] are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,” Kurilla said, in a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC.

According to Kurilla, who also oversees the US military’s Middle East operations including Iran, this progress, including the arrest of the Abbey Gate bombing suspect, was made possible due to direct coordination with Pakistan’s army chief. “Field Marshal Asim Munir called me to tell me they had captured one of the Daesh-K [ISKP or ISIS-K] individuals,” he said.

As the icing on the cake for the bilateral relationship, Weinbaum suggested, Pakistan has thrown in “more goodies, such as a trade deal with no tariffs, offering rare earth minerals, and crypto“. Weinbaum previously served as an analyst for Pakistan and Afghanistan in the US State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

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Rare earth minerals, critical for industries like defence, robotics and electronics, are among Pakistan’s assets now being offered to foreign investors, including the US and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has also recently formed a crypto council and held talks with US officials to attract investment and partnerships.

Rumi called the Munir-Trump meeting “historic”.

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“The US wants Pakistan’s help in de-risking regional volatility without offering much in return. For Munir, it’s an opportunity to reassert relevance and perhaps negotiate manoeuvring space at home,” he said.

Transactional ties and democratic costs

Historically, Pakistan’s ties with the US have been largely transactional, particularly in the security sphere. US aid and investment often followed Pakistan’s alignment with US strategic goals, helping build its infrastructure and military.

But the relationship has also been marked by distrust, with US administrations accusing Pakistan of double-dealing, while Pakistan claims the US has failed to respect the sacrifices it has made while siding with them.

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Whether this latest engagement proves to be another fleeting phase or a more durable alignment remains to be seen, say experts.

Rumi, the New York-based academic, said the US has traditionally engaged Pakistan when it needed to, and retreated when it could.

“Unless this relationship is institutionalised, beyond the security lens with which it is viewed, it’s another tactical romance. And like past dalliances, it could fade once strategic goals are met or regimes change,” he said.

Ansar added that Pakistan again stands on the brink of a major strategic choice amid the global power shift.

“Much depends on whether it leans toward China or the US. That decision is also tied to the evolving Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of Iran,” he said.

But Weinbaum, the former State Department official, described the reset in ties as temporary, as “nothing is permanent in this administration”.

“If Pakistan does play some role in the Iran crisis, they have could have more substantial meaning to these ties. But it needs to be prepared that there is nothing settled with this administration. It can change on a dime, at any hour,” he said.

Power behind the scenes

The military remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution, exerting enormous influence over politics and society.

It has ruled directly for more than three decades, and the current government, elected in a controversial vote last year, is widely seen as secondary to the military leadership under Munir.

This is consistent with historical precedent. Pakistan’s first military ruler, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, had close ties with the US in the 1960s. Subsequent military rulers, including General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s and General Pervez Musharraf in the 2000s, also maintained strong US relations. All three were hosted by US presidents at the White House – but only after they became heads of state.

Munir, now only the second Pakistani to hold the rank of field marshal after Khan, reinforces the perception that Pakistan’s real power remains with the military, despite the presence of a civilian government, say experts.

Still, CUNY’s Rumi said it was important not to “confuse symbolism with transformation”.

“This [Trump-Munir] meeting validates the enduring military-to-military track in US-Pakistan [ties], but it also bypasses the civilian setup, which should worry anyone rooting for democratic consolidation. If this is the “reset,” it’s one where khaki once again trumps ballot,” he cautioned, referring to the colour of the military’s uniform.

Ansar from PoliTact concurred, saying that the meeting reflects adversely on the civil-military balance in Pakistan, as it showed who remains the “real power bearer” in Pakistan.

“In the long run, these dealings in the past have led to tremendous political, economic and security-related repercussions for the nation [Pakistan],” he said.

“But additionally, it has promoted a norm that critical decisions impacting the nation must be made in private without discussion, consensus or public ownership. This results in increased societal and political disillusionment regarding the future of the country.”

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing a major political crisis less than a year into her term, as the Bhumjaithai Party, a key ally, withdrew from the ruling coalition on Wednesday over a leaked phone conversation related to border issues with Cambodia. read more

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is grappling with mounting political pressure and calls for her resignation after a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen triggered a major backlash and fractured her ruling coalition.

The controversy erupted after Hun Sen posted a full 17-minute recording of a private phone conversation on his Facebook page, a day after a shorter version was leaked online. The two leaders had discussed a recent border clash that left one Cambodian soldier dead, with Paetongtarn referring to the Thai army commander involved in the standoff as “an opponent”, a remark that critics say weakened Thailand’s position and showed undue deference to Cambodia.

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In the recording, Paetongtarn also referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” as they discussed lifting border restrictions imposed after the May 28 clash. She later defended her remarks as a negotiation tactic meant to reduce tensions. “My goal was to bring peace between the countries,” she said.

However, Paetongtarn expressed regret for the exchange and vowed not to engage in private talks with Hun Sen again. “It’s now clear that all that he cares about is his popularity in the country, without considering impacts on relations with other countries,” she said.

The fallout was swift. Hours after the recording surfaced, the Bhumjaithai Party — the largest partner in the 10-party ruling coalition — announced it was withdrawing from the government, citing damage to national sovereignty and the military. Its statement accused Paetongtarn of undermining Thai interests and called for her to take responsibility. While the party stopped short of demanding her resignation outright, its exit has left Paetongtarn’s coalition with a fragile majority of just 255 seats in the 500-seat House.

The crisis has sparked a wave of public and political condemnation. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party urged the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections, declaring that the phone call had “destroyed people’s faith in her administration.”

Nationalist protesters also gathered near Government House on Thursday, waving Thai flags and demanding Paetongtarn’s resignation. Some senators indicated plans to file a motion to impeach her, and several complaints were lodged with law enforcement agencies.

Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry lodged an official protest with the Cambodian ambassador, calling the release of the recording “a breach of diplomatic etiquette, a serious violation of trust, and [one that] undermines conduct between two neighboring countries.”

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The episode has reignited concerns of political instability and fears of another military coup. Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was overthrown by the military in 2006, while her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra met a similar fate in 2014. Paetongtarn’s remarks about the army commander have prompted speculation that the military may again intervene.

In response, the Royal Thai Army issued a rare statement urging the public to “maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army’s steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and its readiness to execute its constitutional mandate of protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms.”

The rift with Cambodia is particularly sensitive given the long-standing personal ties between the two political families. Paetongtarn has described her family’s relationship with Hun Sen as close, with Thaksin and Hun Sen often referring to each other as “godbrothers.” In 2009, Hun Sen even appointed Thaksin as an adviser to the Cambodian government, though he resigned soon after.

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But now, that relationship appears to be a liability rather than an asset, as Paetongtarn fights to save her government from collapse.

Thailand’s political stability is under threat as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confronts mounting calls for her resignation. The crisis emerged from a leaked recording of her conversation with Cambodia’s former leader regarding a contentious border dispute.

Paetongtarn’s apology to the public was prompted by a coalition partner withdrawing support, citing her leniency toward Cambodia. The leak, revealing her amicable tone with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, has sparked nationalist outrage over perceived concessions to Cambodia.

The leaked call has intensified political tensions, with opposition leaders demanding new elections and some senators considering impeachment. The crisis echoes historical military coups against her family, highlighting ongoing fragility in Thailand’s governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)