In a significant display of public dissent, thousands turned out in Bangkok over the weekend to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The uproar follows the leak of a phone conversation between Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, where she referred to him as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander's handling of a border dispute as being "not useful." The remarks ignited fury among citizens, and although Shinawatra has since apologized, she stood by her comments as a negotiation strategy.
Prior to her departure to survey flood damage in northern Thailand, Shinawatra addressed the crowd, affirming their right to protest peacefully. Saturday's rally marked the largest public gathering since her Pheu Thai party assumed power in 2023. As monsoon rains poured down, protesters, adorned with Thai flags and banners reading slogans like "PM is the enemy of the state," congregated at the Victory Monument.
Parnthep Pourpongpan, a protest leader, voiced the sentiment that "the prime minister should step aside because she is the problem." Among the participants was 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, who traveled overnight from northern Thailand to express his concerns, stating he aims to protect the country's sovereignty and regard for the PM as unfit for her role.
The controversy centers on the deteriorating relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, which has recently escalated due to border clashes. The Constitutional Court is set to deliberate on whether to take up a petition from senators to remove Shinawatra for alleged unprofessionalism in light of the leaked conversation.
Hun Sen, who shared the audio with over 80 politicians, subsequently released the entire 17-minute recording to the public. This latest incident adds to a long-standing history of tension between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in territorial disputes and complicated familial ties between the Shinawatra and Hun families.
