Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today called on Thai people to unite in the face of what she described as “a threat to national security” following the leaked recording of her conversation with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen.
Speaking at a hastily-called press conference, she said she fully stands by the armed forces in the current border dispute with Cambodia.
She also apologized for what she described as misunderstanding arising from her private conversation with Hun Sen, the president of Cambodian Senate, during which she was heard criticizing Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region.
The general is in charge of security in the northeastern region bordering Cambodia and has been openly critical of Cambodia over its claims of sovereignty over disputed border areas with Thailand.
Paetongtarn said she has already clarified with the armed forces that her remark about the general was “a negotiating tactic” to find a peaceful way to end the ongoing border conflicts with Cambodia.
“What is happening is considered to be a threat to national security,” she said of the country’s confrontation with Cambodia.
“This is the time for Thai people to unite, not to quarrel,” she said.
She also criticized Hun Sen for what she called “his unacceptable conduct” by leaking the recording of their conversation which was supposed to be private.
She said the Foreign Ministry this morning summoned Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand Hun Saroeun to hand over a letter of protest.
Paetongtarn did not respond to calls for her to either resign or dissolve the House to take responsibility for what critics see as her subservience to Hun Sen during their conversation.
At one point during the conversation, Paetongtarn was heard pleading for sympathy from the Cambodian former prime minister, saying that the border dispute was most destabilizing to her government.
“Uncle Hun Sen, just tell me what you want and all can be arranged,” she said. The prime minister did not take any questions after making her statement.
