Sunday, June 29, 2025

Thousands Rally in Bangkok Demanding Thai PM's Resignation Over Leaked Cal

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Bangkok on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The demonstration, the largest since the Pheu Thai party took power in 2023, saw crowds gather at the Victory Monument, braving monsoon rains to wave Thai flags and hold placards declaring the prime minister an "enemy of state."

The controversy stems from a leaked conversation in which Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander involved in a recent border dispute, saying he "just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful." The remarks, part of a discussion about a May border clash that left a Cambodian soldier dead, sparked widespread public outrage. Paetongtarn apologized but defended her approach as a "negotiation technique."

Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan accused the prime minister of being unfit to lead, stating, "She is the problem." Demonstrators, including 70-year-old Seri Sawangmue, who traveled overnight from northern Thailand, expressed concerns over Thailand's sovereignty and Paetongtarn’s leadership. "I’ve lived through many political crises, and I know where this is going," Seri told AFP.
Paetongtarn, 38, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in office for just 10 months. Her family’s decades-long ties with Hun Sen, whom her father considers a "godbrother," have fueled accusations of foreign influence. Protesters, organized by a coalition opposed to Shinawatra-led governments for over 20 years, also criticized the government for failing to uphold democracy and the constitutional monarchy.

As the rally unfolded under a grey sky, a rainbow briefly appeared over the Victory Monument, where protesters sheltered under umbrellas. Paetongtarn, before departing to visit flood-affected areas in northern Thailand, acknowledged the right to peaceful protest. She has vowed to refrain from future calls with Hun Sen, who admitted to sharing the 17-minute recording with 80 politicians, one of whom leaked it. The Constitutional Court is set to decide on Tuesday whether to consider a petition by senators to remove Paetongtarn for alleged unprofessionalism. The leaked call has deepened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, already strained by historical border disputes and recent trade restrictions, including Cambodia’s ban on Thai imports.
The protest marks another chapter in Thailand’s turbulent political landscape, with the Shinawatra family’s influence remaining a polarizing force.

Share This Post

শেয়ার করুন

Author:

Note For Readers: The CEO handles all legal and staff issues. Claiming human help before the first hearing isn't part of our rules. Our system uses humans and AI, including freelance journalists, editors, and reporters. The CEO can confirm if your issue involves a person or AI.