Protesters Demand Thai Leader Resign

Thousands of people protested in the Thai capital Bangkok over the weekend, demanding the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that critics say undermined Thailand’s sovereignty, the Associated Press reported. 

On Saturday, around 20,000 people sang national songs and held placards calling the prime minister “enemy of the state.”  

The demonstrations were organized by long-time conservative, pro-royalist opponents of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her family – who have dominated Thai politics for two decades. 

Both Thaksin and his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as prime ministers, and both were ousted in military coups, in 2006 and 2014, respectively. 

The weekend protests followed outrage over a phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen earlier this month over a May 28 border clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. 

The leaked call featured Paetongtarn referring to the Thai army commander as someone who “just wanted to look cool,” and addressing Hun Sen as “uncle.” The remarks were widely condemned, triggering allegations of unprofessionalism and appeasement, and prompting calls for her removal.  

Critics claimed that her family’s long-standing ties with Hun Sen – who refers to Thaksin as a “godbrother” – have compromised Thailand’s stance in the ongoing border dispute, the BBC wrote. 

Paetongtarn has defended her actions, calling her statements during the phone call a “negotiation technique” and asserting she had “nothing to gain” from it. Still, she said she will avoid further contact with Hun Sen. 

Even so, the fallout from the call has fractured her 10-party ruling coalition: Its largest partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew support, leaving the coalition with a slim 255-seat majority in the 500-member lower house.  

Meanwhile, the prime minister is also facing investigations that could lead to her removal from office. 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed it is probing Paetongtarn on possible ethics violations, while the constitutional court is expected to decide Tuesday whether to accept a petition to suspend her, pending a formal review.