Thai PM apologises for leaked Cambodia call as crisis threatens to topple govt

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (centre) gestures at a press conference next to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (left), Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (second right), Armed Forces Commander Pana Klaewplodthuk (third right), Chief of the Defence Forces Songwit Noonpackdee (right), and Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Kitrat Phanphet (centre left) at Government House in Bangkok on June 19, 2025. - AFP

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra apologised Thursday (June 19) for a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that has provoked widespread anger and put her government on the brink of collapse.

Her main coalition partner has quit and calls are mounting for her to resign or announce an election, throwing the kingdom into a fresh round of political instability as it seeks to boost its spluttering economy and avoid US President Donald Trump's swingeing trade tariffs.