Leaked Call with Hun Sen Triggers Crisis That Could End the Shinawatra Dynasty in Thailand
Thailand’s political landscape has once again been thrown into turmoil following the emergence of a leaked phone call that could spell the end for the influential Shinawatra family’s decades-long grip on power.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest leader in Thai history and daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is at the center of a political firestorm after a private conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen was leaked — and then surprisingly published in full by Hun Sen himself. The call, originally intended to de-escalate tensions over a border dispute, has instead ignited a national controversy that threatens to bring down both her government and her family’s political legacy.
A Conversation Gone Wrong
In the leaked audio, Paetongtarn refers to Hun Sen as “uncle” and is heard offering to “take care of” any requests he may have. She also makes critical comments about a senior Thai military commander. These remarks, interpreted by her opponents as signs of political immaturity at best — or national betrayal at worst — have sparked outrage among conservative circles and reignited long-standing tensions within the Thai elite.
The backlash was swift. Thailand’s Constitutional Court has since suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics investigation, with Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit stepping in as interim leader. The court's intervention came just days after over 10,000 protesters flooded Bangkok’s streets demanding her resignation.
Shinawatra Dynasty at a Crossroads
This is not the first time a member of the Shinawatra family has faced political ruin. Her father Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 military coup, spent over 15 years in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges. Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as prime minister from 2011 to 2014 before being removed by the courts and subsequently ousted in a coup.
But unlike her predecessors, Paetongtarn’s position was already fragile. Her ascent to power came after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was disqualified by a court ruling. Her administration was built on a controversial coalition formed with former political rivals — an arrangement many viewed as a betrayal of the party’s reformist roots and a calculated move to block the surging pro-democracy Move Forward party.
With this latest scandal, some analysts believe the Shinawatra brand may finally have run its course.
“The elite may no longer see Thaksin or his family as necessary,” said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a political scientist at Kyoto University. “They’ve run out of Shinawatras to lead, and the public has grown weary.”
Protest Risks and Coup Fears
Protesters taking to the streets this week include many familiar faces — veteran activists who once opposed Thaksin and Yingluck now rallying against Paetongtarn. But the nature of the protests has evolved. As Dr. Napon Jatusripitak from the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute notes, while there are valid concerns about Paetongtarn’s leadership, in Thailand’s volatile political context, protests can easily spiral into broader crises.
Though a military coup isn’t considered imminent, the political establishment has other tools at its disposal: judicial rulings, corruption probes, and public pressure. The Constitutional Court’s investigation may just be the beginning, with anti-corruption agencies potentially launching their own inquiries.
Thaksin Faces Legal Fire Too
In a coincidental twist, Thaksin Shinawatra himself appeared in court on the same day his daughter was suspended. He faces allegations of lese-majesty stemming from a 2015 interview with South Korean media. Long believed to have been shelved, the case has resurfaced — further complicating the family’s political future.
What's Next for Thailand?
As the political drama unfolds, Pheu Thai, the party founded by Thaksin, is struggling. Having already lost credibility among its reformist base, the party now faces internal fragmentation and mounting public dissatisfaction. Analysts believe the party will resist any move to dissolve parliament, fearing electoral defeat.
Political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong says the ruling coalition is in survival mode. “They’re doing everything to avoid an election right now. They’re simply not ready.”
Even if Paetongtarn survives this round of judicial scrutiny, her political capital has severely eroded. Observers say she is now perceived as “politically bankrupt.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Hun Sen — once considered an ally — has hinted at more damaging revelations. In a recent speech, he warned Thaksin not to act arrogantly or he would expose further private conversations, potentially involving comments critical of Thailand’s monarchy.
Final Days for a Political Empire?
The Shinawatra dynasty has survived protests, court rulings, and coups over the past two decades. But this moment feels different. With an angry public, a weakened party, and escalating legal challenges, many are wondering if this is the final curtain call for one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful political families.