Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded Bangkok’s Victory Monument on Saturday, calling for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The protest marks a significant escalation in Thailand’s political unrest, triggered by the release of a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, which has ignited anger across the country.
Paetongtarn’s leadership has faced intense scrutiny following a border clash on 28 May that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier in a contested area. Critics accuse the prime minister of weakness in addressing the dispute, which many believe compromised Thailand’s sovereignty. The leaked recording, in which Paetongtarn allegedly sought to appease Hun Sen, has since become the focal point of opposition outrage.
According to Bangkok police estimates, approximately 20,000 protesters joined the rally by Saturday night, braving heavy rain to wave Thai flags, display placards, and chant nationalist slogans. The crowd, which included many from the conservative Yellow Shirt movement, accused Paetongtarn of failing to protect Thailand’s interests and demanded her resignation.
Yellow Shirts Reignite Opposition to Shinawatra Dynasty
Protesters’ anger was fuelled by Paetongtarn’s family ties: she is the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a polarising figure in Thai politics with a history of clashes against the military and royalist establishment. Many demonstrators also remembered past Yellow Shirt protests that successfully ousted Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014.
During Saturday’s rally, speakers condemned Paetongtarn’s perceived concessions to Cambodia, and attendees sang nationalist songs, vowing to return if their demands are ignored. “We don’t want to invade anyone,” said Tatchakorn Srisuwan, a 47-year-old tour guide from Surat Thani, “but we want to protect Thailand’s sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia continue to simmer. Speaking at an event in Phnom Penh on Saturday, Hun Sen accused Thailand of violating Cambodian sovereignty during the recent border clash, describing it as a “serious violation” of international norms. His comments further inflamed nationalist sentiment among Thai protesters.
Investigations Threaten PM’s Fragile Coalition
The scandal has already shaken Paetongtarn’s coalition government, leading to the departure of the Bhumjaithai Party, which was its largest partner. This defection has reduced the 10-party coalition’s control to 255 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, leaving it with only a slim majority.
Paetongtarn also faces multiple investigations, including a probe by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which is looking into whether the leaked call constituted a serious ethical breach. Reports indicate that Thailand’s Constitutional Court may decide as early as next week whether to accept a petition seeking her removal. A decision to proceed could result in Paetongtarn’s suspension from office pending further investigations.
Despite the mounting pressure, Paetongtarn remains defiant. She told reporters that she stands ready to present evidence to clear her name, insisting that her conversation with Hun Sen did not bring any harm or benefit to either party. “It was clear from the phone call that I had nothing to gain from it, and I also didn’t cause any damage to the country,” she stated confidently on Tuesday.