Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Bangkok on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The protests, the largest since her party, Pheu Thai, took power in 2023, were sparked by a growing dispute with Cambodia and a leaked call that triggered nationalist outrage.
Braving heavy rain at Victory Monument, protesters voiced frustration over Paetongtarn’s alleged deference to Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen in a recent phone conversation, where she appeared to criticize a Thai army commander. Her apology did little to quell anger, especially in a country where public criticism of the military is highly sensitive.
The protest, led by the United Force of the Land—a nationalist group long opposed to Shinawatra-backed governments—called for all coalition partners to resign. Demonstrators accused Paetongtarn and her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, of allowing Hun Sen undue influence over Thai politics.
Chants of “Ung Ing, get out” echoed through the crowd, referring to Paetongtarn’s nickname. Some protesters emphasized they do not want another military coup, but warned the country’s fragile political state is worsening.
Economically, Thailand remains under strain. The prime minister’s grip on power weakened further last week when the Bhumjaithai Party left the coalition. She now faces possible judicial probes and anti-corruption reviews, which could lead to her removal from office.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hun Sen launched a scathing attack on Paetongtarn’s leadership in a lengthy televised speech, which Thai officials labeled “extraordinary” but reaffirmed their preference for diplomatic resolution.