In the heart of Bangkok, a massive wave of protesters gathered, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The outcry follows the release of an embarrassing phone call between her and former Cambodian PM Hun Sen, where she referred to him as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military officer involved in a border dispute for being "not useful."
This incident has not only ignited public anger but also resulted in a key ally in her ruling coalition stepping down. Although Paetongtarn offered an apology, she defended her remarks as mere "negotiation technique".
Saturday's protests marked the largest demonstration since she took office in 2023, with attendees braving monsoon rains to participate. Many protestors displayed Thai flags and signs reading “PM is enemy of state”. One protest leader, Parnthep Pourpongpan, asserted that the PM should resign for the sake of the country.
Among them was 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, who traveled long distances to voice his concerns. He insisted that the leadership is unfit to govern, claiming, “I’ve lived through many political crises and I know where this is going.”
Despite promising to cease conversations with Hun Sen, accusations linger that the Shinawatra family is being manipulated by the Cambodian leader. A crucial decision by Thailand’s Constitutional Court is approaching, deciding on a petition for Paetongtarn's removal linked to her controversial phone call.
Amid the ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the protesters' call for an end to Shinawatra governance resonates with decades of nationalist movements against Shinawatra-led administrations. As the rain cleared, a rainbow appeared, signifying hope for some amid the political storm.
