Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a press conference today (19 June) apologizing for her phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and insisting that the government and the military remain united.

Paetongtarn said that she met with national security agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning (19 June) to discuss the border dispute with Cambodia. She apologized to the Thai people for the discomfort caused by the leaked audio clip, and said that she had spoken to the 2^nd Army Region commander and representatives of the military to explain that what she said in the phone call was a negotiation tactic. She also said that she discussed with them how to prevent further confrontation, noting that she did not know the call would be recorded and released. The military told her, Paetongtarn claimed, that the government and the military must work together.

Paetongtarn said that all sectors agree that there is a threat to national security and that this is not the time for the government and the military to fight. Everyone must work to protect democracy, she said, noting that she is happy to support the military in any way it needs. Any decision made must take into consideration the safety of Thai people living in Cambodia and along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has invited the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand to receive a letter protesting Hun Sen’s action. Paetongtarn said that it was unacceptable to record a phone call without informing everyone on the call, noting that it was a private call from her own mobile phone and not a formal discussion.

Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the MFA Information Department, said in a separate press conference this morning (19 June) that the release of the audio clip is a breach of diplomatic etiquette and damages the relationship between the two countries. The Prime Minister is the head of government, Nikorndej said, and so should be respected regardless of who is in office.

Paetongtarn said that the government and the military are united in protecting the country’s sovereignty, and that she wants the people to also stand with them. She apologized for what happened, insisting that she did not know the phone call would be recorded, and said that she would be more careful in the future. If the government and the military stand united, she said, the country can get through the current crisis.