Mass Bangkok Rally Demands Thai PM’s Resignation
Thousands of demonstrators flooded Bangkok’s streets on Saturday, calling for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resign after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen triggered a political and diplomatic storm. The protest, centered at Victory Monument, is the largest since Paetongtarn’s government took office in 2023.
Growing Public Anger
The controversy erupted after an audio clip surfaced in which Paetongtarn could be heard referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and making dismissive remarks about a Thai army commander, suggesting he was “trying to look cool” during a tense military standoff with Cambodia. She also appeared to urge Hun Sen not to heed opposing voices within Thailand, a comment widely seen as undermining the credibility of Thai institutions.
Demonstration Gains Momentum
The crowd, estimated at around 20,000 people, included members of pro-royalist groups historically opposed to the Shinawatra family. Despite heavy rains, the protest remained peaceful, with participants waving flags and holding signs demanding accountability. Organizers vowed to continue their demonstrations until the Prime Minister steps down.
Coalition Crackdown and Legal Fallout
The fallout has not been limited to the streets. The incident has sparked turmoil within the ruling coalition, with the Bhumjaithai Party withdrawing support and plunging the government into a precarious parliamentary position. Investigations have been launched by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Constitutional Court to determine whether Paetongtarn violated constitutional norms or ethical codes of conduct. A ruling on her suspension could come as early as next week.
Border Tensions Add to Pressure
The leaked call came in the aftermath of a deadly border skirmish between Thai and Cambodian forces in late May, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier and led to increased military deployment and trade restrictions along the border. Hun Sen later admitted to releasing the recording, stating it was necessary to protect Cambodia from misrepresentation.
Paetongtarn’s Response
Defending herself, the Prime Minister stated the call was part of backchannel diplomacy intended to de-escalate tensions. She denied disrespecting the military and reaffirmed her loyalty to Thailand’s sovereignty. She also committed to cooperating fully with all legal proceedings and insisted she would not resign unless legally compelled to do so.
