The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute

[Gaybutton]

Obviously tensions are escalating. I don't know how dangerous the situation may be getting and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the disputed area to find out the hard way.

So far there is no problem for flights between Thailand and Cambodia, but there is no way to know if that is going to last. As a holiday maker, I think the safest thing to do is plan travel to either Thailand or Cambodia, but not both.

The leaked telephone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen could spell real problems for Paetongtarn. Some news items are saying the Thai government could collapse as a result. I don't understand enough about it to have any idea whether that is exaggeration or a genuine possibility. We'll see. However, in recent years I notice that Thailand's Prime Ministers never seem to last very long before something happens.
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Leaked call between Thai PM and Cambodia 'strongman' stokes fresh tensions

by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chantha Lach

June 18, 2025

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, June 18 (Reuters) - Relations between Thailand and Cambodia suffered a major blow on Wednesday after a leak of a telephone conversation between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and influential former Cambodian premier Hun Sen that could further escalate tensions.

Ties between the two neighbours are at their worst in more than a decade after a row over border territory that has sparked fears of a military confrontation following a sharp rise in nationalist rhetoric and the mobilisation of troops on both sides of their frontier.

The leaked June 15 phone call, which has been confirmed as authentic by both Hun Sen and Paetongtarn, shows the Thai premier telling Hun Sen, whom she called uncle, that she is under domestic pressure and urging him not to listen to "the opposite side" which includes a prominent Thai military commander at the border.

"He just want to look cool and saying things that are not useful to the nation, but in truth what we want is peace," she told Hun Sen through a translator in the leaked audio clip, referring to the general.

Paetongtarn later told reporters her conversation with Hun Sen was part of a negotiation tactic and she has no problem with the Thai army.

"I won't be talking privately with him (Hun Sen) anymore because there is a trust problem," she said.

Hun Sen said the leak came from one of the 80 politicians he shared the audio recording with.

Self-styled strongman Hun Sen was Cambodia's premier for nearly four decades and has maintained a high public profile since handing over power in 2023 to his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The two governments had until recently enjoyed warm ties, helped by the close relationship between Hun Sen and Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's influential father. Both former leaders are still active in politics.

The leak could put that relationship in jeopardy and will add to speculation in Thailand that Paetongtarn and the powerful Thai military are at odds on how to respond to the border crisis with Cambodia.

Cambodia's rhetoric has become more fierce in the past week, with Hun Sen blaming Thai "extremists" and the Thai army for stoking tensions, saying Paetongtarn's government was "unable to control its military the way our country can".

The billionaire Shinawatra family has a troubled history with the army, with two of its governments ousted by generals in coups in 2006 and 2014.

Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand's Second Army Area overseeing the eastern border, on Wednesday told local media that Paetongtarn had called him to explain the leak.

"I don't have any issue, I understand," Boonsin said.

The weeks-long standoff followed a brief border skirmish on May 28 that left a Cambodian soldier dead. Both countries have called for calm while vowing to defend their sovereignty over contested stretches of a 820-km (510-mile) land border, parts of which are undemarcated.

Attempts to settle the issue have failed, with Cambodia on Sunday delivering on its vow to seek resolution at the International Court of Justice, the jurisdiction of which Thailand says it does not recognise.

On Wednesday, Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had again violated its sovereignty with drone flights, trench digging and troop deployments, which Bangkok rejected.

Thousands of Cambodians joined a state-organised march in the capital Phnom Penh on Wednesday to support the government, shouting slogans, waving national flags and holding portraits of Hun Manet and Hun Sen.

"Cambodia's land! We won't take others' land, we keep our land!" some chanted.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-paci ... 025-06-18/

[Dodger]

Loose lips sink ships!

[Gaybutton]

Full Text of the Official Letter Released by the Thai Government Regarding the Leaked Phone Call to Cambodia

By Adam Judd

June 19, 2025

Full text of the official letter released by the Thai government regarding the leaked phone call to Cambodia Senate leader Hun Sen.

We sincerely apologize to the public that our efforts to communicate openly and honestly have been misinterpreted in the opposite manner.

For over 26 years, the Thai government has adhered to peaceful principles and utilized bilateral mechanisms through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) with Cambodia.

Recent events have heightened tensions, prompting the Prime Minister to use a special channel—a phone call with the Cambodian leader—to avoid escalating violence.

Such discussions are a diplomatic approach used by government leaders worldwide to resolve crises, de-escalate confrontations, and safeguard national interests.

The Thai government’s actions are not driven by political popularity but aim to protect the lives and safety of Thai citizens.

Upon detecting insincere and disrespectful behavior from the Cambodian side, the Prime Minister ordered security agencies to prepare for potential threats.

A joint meeting was held between the Prime Minister, military leaders, and security officials to demonstrate unity and strategic readiness.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand to deliver a protest letter, expressing disappointment over the Cambodian leader’s actions.

Thailand will continue to pursue diplomatic measures in a systematic manner, guided by international principles and national interests.

We express gratitude to all officials who have dedicated themselves to protecting the nation’s territory and security.

We urge the public not to fall victim to information warfare, which may be used by ill-intentioned parties to undermine unity and stability.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/06/19/f ... -cambodia/

[Gaybutton]

Tourism operators sound the alarm on possible coup

Call for confidence to be maintained

by Molpasorn Shoowong

June 20, 2025

Protesters gather in front of Government House to put pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resign over the leaked audio clip of her conservation with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen.

Tourism operators insist a coup must be avoided at all costs as the nation struggles with political instability, as businesses prefer a democratic system.

The industry has already been hampered by external economic and geopolitical factors, said the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

The leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen over the border dispute prompted opposition parties to call for the House dissolution, while concerns over a possible coup were raised on social media.

"Political turmoil should be solved by democratic mechanisms, not a coup, as occurred in 2014," said Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the TCT.

Mr Ratchaporn said during that period, the number of foreign arrivals drastically fell, mainly attributed to lack of travel confidence.

Typically, travel insurance would not cover incidents occurring in a country facing a coup.

Amid the ongoing political turmoil, he said tourism confidence should be maintained, as the industry is already hampered by negative factors since the beginning of the year, including declining safety confidence among the Chinese market, the US tariff hike and the Iran-Israel war.

The tourism sector is also worried that the reading of the 2026 fiscal budget bill might be disrupted, causing a delay in significant tourism and economic measures.

As protestors have begun demonstrating against the Paetongtarn administration, Mr Ratchaporn said it is normal practice for democratic countries to face such a form of opposition.

If the protests are not harmful or do not disrupt the peace, there should not be any problem for the tourism industry.

So far, foreign travel agents and tourists remain unfazed by the political situation in Thailand.

They are more worried about airspace closure due to the conflict between Israel and Iran, which prompted them to cancel trips to Thailand.

Naree Suneta, president of the Hostel Thailand Association, said the sluggish Chinese market could be worsened by the ongoing political instability, particularly from demonstrations.

If the situation escalates, it could impact the opportunities that the government previously attempted to create by inviting hundreds of Chinese travel agents to Thailand last month.

She said small hotel operators are also concerned that the new law dedicated to small and medium hotels, which is still in progress, might face a delay if there is disruption in the current administration.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... sible-coup

[Dodger]

I was holidaying here right in the middle of two coups which didn't effect my holidays one iota. If it weren't for the press and social media I wouldn't even know they were happening.

I guess Thailand has had so many coups that they have it down to an art...

[Gaybutton]

I guess Thailand has had so many coups that they have it down to an art...

Apparently so. Certainly abiding by free elections and the will of the people doesn't work all that well. Just ask Pita . . .

[Jun]

Tourism operators insist a coup must be avoided at all costs as the nation struggles with political instability, as businesses prefer a democratic system.

I doubt the army would take much notice of the Tourism operators. I doubt many tourists would be put off by a coup & certainly not experienced travellers to Thailand.

Also, would they be more likely to use the border dispute as an excuse for a coup ?

[Gaybutton]

I doubt many tourists would be put off by a coup & certainly not experienced travellers to Thailand.

And neither would this experienced expat. I've lived through enough coups in Thailand that if it comes to yet another one I won't be worried. As Dodger pointed out, if they weren't all over the news, I wouldn't even know a coup was happening.

What I would be paying attention to are the exchange rates - and hopefully they would improve in our favor.

[Jun]

Another one of my Cambodian friends returned to Pattaya & got just 7 days, as expected (which is effectively 6 nights). He says he's spent too much money for 7 days, but he knew that before starting the trip. His return was too late for a second meeting with me on that trip.

I suspect Cambodian lads like to make their finances sound even worse than they are.
This one never uses the apps & he's at his bar less than 50% of the time, so it cannot be too much of a struggle.

Back in the winter, another one told me "have no customers, not see anyone since I see you last". The delivery was a bit hesitant as even he realised this would sound like BS. I'd been travelling, so hadn't seen this one for over a month. With no customers, he'd be eating cockroaches. I also know he gets customers.

[Gaybutton]

The Thai military has closed ALL land border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia. No one gets in or out. The only exception is for humanitarian purposes.

Your guess is as good as anybody's as to how long this will last.

To the best of my knowledge there are still no restrictions on air travel.

See also today's (June 24) "Headline News" https://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic ... 96#p117996