Thousands Rally in Bangkok Demanding Resignation of Thai Prime Minister

Public dissent fueled by concerns over sovereignty and leadership accountability amid ongoing border tensions.

In Bangkok, thousands of demonstrators convened to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, following the release of a controversial phone call between her and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The leaked conversation, in which she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle”, sparked widespread discontent among the citizenry. In her remarks, Paetongtarn criticized a Thai military official involved in a recent border dispute, labeling his comments as unhelpful.

Despite her subsequent apology, Paetongtarn characterized the call as a “negotiation technique,” a stance that has not appeased critics. Before departing to visit flood-affected areas in northern Thailand, she acknowledged the public's right to protest, underscoring the importance of peaceful demonstrations. The sizeable rally, the largest since the Pheu Thai party assumed power in 2023, was held at the Victory Monument, with participants waving Thai flags and brandishing signs asserting, “PM is enemy of state.”

Organized by a coalition that has historically opposed governments led by the Shinawatras, the protest was marked by passionate appeals for Paetongtarn to step down. Demonstrator Parnthep Pourpongpan urged the prime minister to resign, stating, “She is the problem.” 70-year-old protester Seri Sawangmue traveled from northern Thailand to join the demonstration, voicing his concerns over national sovereignty and expressing distrust in the leadership.

Paetongtarn, who is the daughter of the exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has served only 10 months in office. She has vowed to avoid future communications with Hun Sen. However, many protesters feel that both she and her influential father are under the sway of the Cambodian leader, with Parnthep highlighting a lack of democratic governance.

The rally was underscored by accusations of unprofessionalism against Paetongtarn, which will be assessed by the Constitutional Court in a pivotal ruling scheduled for Tuesday concerning whether to pursue her removal. The political tension follows a border clash that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, severely straining the historical relations between the two nations that date back to colonial times.

As protesters braved the monsoon rain, umbrellas became symbolic shields against oppression, and as the clouds parted, a rainbow appeared over the venue, capturing the resilience of a public demanding accountability and change amidst a backdrop of ongoing bilateral disputes affecting Thailand and Cambodia.