Relations between Thailand and Cambodia took a hit after a leaked phone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian premier Hun Sen raised concerns of escalating tensions.

The two neighboring countries are facing their worst relationship in over a decade due to a border dispute that has led to fears of military conflict, with both sides increasing nationalist rhetoric and troop mobilization.

The leaked conversation on Jun 15, confirmed as authentic by both parties, saw Paetongtarn urging Hun Sen not to heed the advice of a prominent Thai military commander at the border, emphasizing the importance of peace.

Paetongtarn later clarified that the call was part of a negotiation strategy and expressed no issues with the Thai army, while Hun Sen attributed the leak to one of the 80 politicians he shared the recording with.

Hun Sen, a long-standing figure in Cambodian politics, has maintained a strong presence even after passing on power to his son in 2023. The warm relations between the two countries were previously supported by the close ties between Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's influential father, both of whom remain active in politics.