Massive crowds have convened in Bangkok, Thailand, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. In the controversial conversation about border tensions, she referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized Thai military commands as unhelpful, spurring widespread outrage.
The backlash has led to the resignation of a crucial coalition partner and although Paetongtarn apologized, she defended her remarks as a “negotiation technique.” Before her visit to flood-affected regions in northern Thailand, she acknowledged the people’s right to protest peacefully.
The Saturday rally marked the largest opposition manifestation since her party assumed power in 2023, as thousands defied heavy rain at the Victory Monument, brandishing Thai flags and chanting slogans like “PM is an enemy of the state.” Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan urged for the Prime Minister’s resignation, claiming she embodies the issues at hand.
Amidst concerns over national sovereignty, demonstrators articulated discontent with the Shinawatra influence in Thai politics. The rally was organized by the United Force of the Land, a coalition of nationalist activists opposed to the Shinawatra legacy. As the event unfolded under showers, moments of hope emerged when a rainbow appeared above the monument.
The Constitutional Court is set to consider a call for Paetongtarnās removal related to the phone call, while historical tensions between Cambodia and Thailand persist.
Source: www.bbc.com
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