Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, following the leak of a controversial phone call she had with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. During the call, which saw her refer to Hun Sen as "uncle," the Prime Minister criticized a Thai military commander involved in a recent border dispute as simply seeking to appear impressive, sparking public outrage.
This incident has led to substantial political fallout, including the withdrawal of a key ally from her ruling coalition. Despite the backlash, Paetongtarn defended her comments as part of her negotiation strategy but subsequently issued an apology. On her way to visit areas affected by flooding in the northern part of the country, she acknowledged the right of citizens to protest, as long as such demonstrations remain peaceful.
The Saturday protest marked the largest anti-government rally since the Pheu Thai party assumed power in 2023, as participants braved monsoon rains to rally at the Victory Monument. Many waved flags and carried signs with messages such as "PM is enemy of state." Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan argued that the Prime Minister must step down, asserting that she is the root of the problem.
One participant, 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, travelled overnight to express his concerns about Thailand's sovereignty and the Prime Minister's suitability for office, linking her actions to past political crises. Following the controversy, Paetongtarn pledged not to hold further calls with Hun Sen, but many citizens suspect an inappropriate influence from the former Cambodian leader over her administration.
Paetongtarn, the daughter of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the country's second female Prime Minister, has been in power for just ten months. Protestors are demanding an end to the Shinawatra family’s leadership, rallying under the United Force of the Land, a nationalist coalition that has opposed Shinawatra-led governments for over twenty years. In a public address, the group claimed that the government and parliament are failing in their duties to democracy and the constitutional monarchy.
As the protests unfolded, the atmosphere was permeated with resilience, as umbrellas shielded demonstrators from rain while a rainbow appeared overhead at Victory Monument. The Constitutional Court is set to decide on a petition by senators regarding Paetongtarn's potential removal due to alleged unprofessional conduct stemming from the Hun Sen phone call.
The tense relationship between Thailand and Cambodia dates back decades, intensified by recent border disputes marked by violence and trade restrictions. Despite these regional tensions, the Shinawatras have maintained a long-standing friendship with the Hun family, further complicating the political landscape as these protests continue to unfold.
