Thai PM Paetongtarn calls Cambodia 'global hub of crime' after backlash over leaked phone call with Hun Sen

As border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia continue to escalate, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra slammed Cambodia as a "global hub of crime" on Jun. 23.

She also promised to clamp down on transnational crimes perpetuated by Cambodia, particularly cybercrime.

"According to UN data, Cambodia is a global hub for crime, posing a national security threat [to Thailand]", Paetongtarn said, according to Thai media outlet Khaosod English.

40 per cent of Cambodia's GDP comes from call centres scams, which cost over 600 billion baht (approximately S$24 billion) annually, Paetongtarn quoted the UN as saying.

She also announced a number of measures to combat these crimes, including stricter controls at seven border checkpoints between Cambodia and Thailand, suspending internet services and undersea internet cables connecting Thailand to Cambodian military and security agencies, and halting fuel oil exports to Cambodia if used for illegal purposes.

A three-month timeline will be put in place for these measures which are expected to see a concrete reduction in crime statistics.

Paetongtarn also highlighted Cambodia's announcement on Jun. 22 that they will stop importing oil and fuel from Thailand, warning that this will only lead to higher prices for Cambodian citizens if the border tensions escalate.

She added that the Thai military has been authorised to make immediate border control decisions as they deem fit, based on on-ground situations.

Background

Thailand and Cambodia have been embroiled in an ongoing border dispute, with tensions flaring after a Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 2025 during a crossfire in the Emerald Triangle, a disputed area.

Despite initially increasing military presence on both sides of the border, both countries later mutually agreed upon a deescalation solution and "jointly [adjusted] military forces at points of conflict to reduce the atmosphere of confrontation", according to a statement by Paetongtarn.

In a series of tit-for-tat moves, both Thailand and Cambodia then shut several border crossings and restricted trade between the countries, including Cambodia's latest banning of export of Thai produce into Cambodia on Jun. 17.

Most recently, Paetongtarn came under fire by her own citizens as a recording of a diplomatic phone call between her and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen was leaked Jun. 18, during which she was noted to have called a Thai army commander an "opponent" and seemingly agreed to do "anything" Hun Sen wanted.

This led to uproar, with one of Paetongtarn's coalition partners in government quitting.

The People's Party, Thailand's main opposition, has since called for Paetongtarn's resignation.

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Top image via Ing Shin/X