 "Police expect the crowds in Bangkok to surpass 10,000 people by Saturday evening. Reuters")
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bangkok to demand the resignation of Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Discontent among the public became more significant after the Thai premier’s phone calls with a former Cambodian leader were leaked. It is important to note that Shinawatra has faced growing pressure over her handling of a border dispute with neighbouring Cambodia that flared in May.
The two neighbouring nations got involved in a new row after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of fire at the border. Not only this, her government was thrown into crisis after a phone call in which she discussed the matter with the former Cambodian leader Hun Sen was made public earlier this month.
In the recording, she could be heard speaking to the senior Thai military officer and addressing Hun Sen as “uncle”. The Thai premier was also heard telling the Cambodian veteran that if there was anything he wanted, she would “take care of it.” The phone call infuriated the Thai nationalists, who accused her of kowtowing to Hun Sen.
Protesters demand Shinawatra’s resignation
On Saturday, protesters gathered and waved Thai flags, changing “Ung Ing, get out”, which is the prime minister’s nickname. Some even held signs accusing the prime minister of betraying the nation, calling her “traitor PM” and “sellout PM”.
Police estimated that 6,000 people had turned out for the protests by afternoon, but the latest estimate was that the crowd surpassed 10,000, Bangkok Post reported. This easily made the demonstrations the largest rally since the ruling Pheu Thai party came to power in 2023. “We are not gathering here to cause trouble,” said Jade Donavanik, a legal scholar who addressed crowds.
“We are united here by the force of nature to safeguard our national and territorial integrity, to protect our sovereignty and to set the country right. We shall do everything within our capabilities to protect this country and to bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom of Thailand.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsInterestingly, many of those who gathered at the protest were associated with movements that previously rallied against Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, and her aunt Yingluck, who was removed from power by a court ruling followed by a coup in 2014.
United Force of the Land, the organisers of the protest, called for all parties to withdraw from Paetongtarn’s coalition. Earlier this month, a coalition partner quit, citing the controversial phone call. This leaves the Thai premier with a thin majority.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn is also facing judicial threats, after petitions were filed accusing her of ethical violations and breaching the constitution regarding the leaked call. Amidst the chaos, Paetongtarn has apologised for the phone call, though this has done little to halt criticism.