Thousands of people took to the streets in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This protest follows the leak of a phone call she had with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has sparked public outrage.
During the call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander involved in a border dispute, saying he was just trying to "look cool" and made comments that were not helpful. The backlash from this conversation has been significant, leading to calls for her to step down. Although she apologized, she defended her remarks as part of a negotiation strategy.
The protest on Saturday was the largest since her party, Pheu Thai, came to power in 2023. Despite heavy rain, thousands gathered at the Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and holding signs that read "PM is enemy of state." Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan stated that the prime minister "should step aside because she is the problem."
Among the protesters was 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, who traveled overnight from northern Thailand. He expressed his concern for the country’s sovereignty and stated that he believes Paetongtarn is unfit to lead.
Paetongtarn, who is 38 years old, is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister who was ousted in a coup and returned to Thailand last year after years in exile. She has only been in office for ten months and is the second female prime minister in Thailand’s history, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The rally was organized by a coalition that has protested against Shinawatra-led governments for over two decades. They claimed that the current government is not acting in the best interest of democracy and the constitutional monarchy.
As the protest continued, participants used umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain, and at one point, a rainbow appeared over the monument, adding a striking visual to the event.
Looking ahead, the Constitutional Court is set to decide on a petition from senators seeking Paetongtarn’s removal over her comments in the leaked call. Hun Sen has stated that he shared the audio with various politicians, and one of them leaked it. He later posted the full recording online.
The tension between Thailand and Cambodia has historical roots, with recent disputes flaring up after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash. This incident has worsened relations, leading both nations to impose restrictions on each other.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the Shinawatra family’s connection with the Hun family dates back many years, indicating a complicated relationship that adds another layer to the current political climate.