Thousands Rally in Bangkok Demanding Resignation of PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra

The rally marks a significant moment in Thailand's political landscape, as public frustration rises over the Prime Minister's recent actions.

Thousands of protesters converged in Bangkok on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after a controversial phone conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was leaked to the public. During the call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander's recent comments regarding a border dispute as "unhelpful." This incident has triggered widespread outrage, leading a principal ally within her ruling coalition to withdraw support.

In the wake of the backlash, Paetongtarn issued an apology but characterized the call as a "negotiation technique." As she prepared to travel to northern Thailand, which has recently experienced severe flooding, she stated that it is the public's "right to protest peacefully." The rally drawn on Saturday emerged as the largest demonstration against her government since her Pheu Thai party assumed power in 2023.

Demonstrators braved heavy rain at Bangkok's Victory Monument, brandishing Thai flags and holding placards with messages like "PM is enemy of state." Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan expressed that Paetongtarn should resign due to perceived incompetence. One protester, Seri Sawangmue, traveled from the north to defend Thailand's sovereignty, asserting that he believed the Prime Minister was unfit for her role.

Despite the controversy, Paetongtarn has vowed to avoid future calls with Hun Sen. However, Parnthep stated that many Thai citizens believe both her and her influential father are being manipulated by the former Cambodian leader. At just 38 years old, Paetongtarn is the daughter of the ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and has only served in the role for 10 months, making her Thailand's second female prime minister, following her aunt Yingluck.

The rally was organized by the United Force of the Land, which is comprised of largely nationalist activists who have opposed Shinawatra-led administrations for several years. The coalition highlighted that the government has not acted in favor of democracy and the constitutional monarchy. Protesters also sheltered under umbrellas from the rain, and when conditions improved, a vibrant rainbow appeared over the monument.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is set to decide whether to accept a petition from senators to remove Paetongtarn, alleging unprofessional behavior linked to the leaked phone call. Hun Sen disclosed that he shared the audio recording with 80 politicians, one of whom leaked it. He later published the 17-minute conversation on social media.

The contentious phone call stemmed from escalating tensions over a recent border incident resulting in a Cambodian soldier's death, firming long-standing disputes over the region that date back more than a century, originating from colonial border decisions. Both nations continue to grapple with restrictions, including Cambodia's bans on various Thai goods and media broadcasts. Despite past cordial relations, the Shinawatra family's historical ties with the Hun family add layers of complexity to the current political landscape.