Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Bangkok, voicing their demand for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resign after a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ignited public outrage. During the call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander's approach to a border dispute, leading many to question her leadership skills.
Despite apologizing, Paetongtarn stood by her comments as part of a negotiation strategy. Before departing to oversee flood relief efforts in northern Thailand, she stated that citizens have the right to protest as long as it remains peaceful. This demonstration, the largest since her government took office in 2023, saw thousands braving heavy rains to congregate at Bangkok's Victory Monument. They waved Thai flags and displayed placards calling the PM an "enemy of the state.”
Leaders of the protest emphasized that Paetongtarn must step down for the sake of the nation. One protester, 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, traveled overnight to voice his concerns, stating that he feared for Thailand's sovereignty. The PM, who is the daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in power for just ten months and is the country’s second female prime minister.
The rally was organized by a coalition opposed to Shinawatra-led governments that has been active for over two decades. The group claimed that current leadership is not serving Thailand's democratic interests. On the horizon lies a crucial decision from the Constitutional Court about whether to consider a petition for her removal due to alleged unprofessionalism pertaining to the leaked call.
As demonstrators carried umbrellas against the rain, a rainbow appeared over the monument, symbolizing hope amidst political strife. The ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in historical conflicts, now intersect with contemporary governance issues as the Shinawatra family faces increasing scrutiny amid allegations of foreign meddling in domestic politics.
