In Bangkok, Thailand, a significant crowd gathered to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ignited public outrage. During the conversation, which revolved around a dispute at their border, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander's remarks as unhelpful. This exchange led to widespread anger, prompting her to issue an apology while defending her comments as a "negotiation technique."
Amidst her northern Thailand flood relief trip, Paetongtarn acknowledged that peaceful protests are a citizen's right. The recent rally, marking the largest since she assumed office, saw thousands braving monsoon rains at Bangkok’s Victory Monument, brandishing Thai flags and banners stating "PM is enemy of state." Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan asserted that the prime minister should resign, branding her leadership as problematic.
70-year-old Seri Sawangmue travelled from northern Thailand to join the demonstration, expressing concerns for the country's sovereignty and labeling the PM as unfit for office. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra who returned to Thailand last year following a 15-year exile, has held her position for just ten months, making her the second female prime minister after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The call for an end to Shinawatra's leadership spans over two decades, backed by a coalition of groups that have consistently protested against their governance. In a statement to attendees, they claimed that both the executive and legislative branches are failing to uphold democratic values and constitutional monarchy principles.
Protesters equipped with umbrellas against the rain were met with a burst of color as a rainbow emerged over the rally site. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is set to evaluate a petition from senators aimed at removing Paetongtarn for alleged unprofessional conduct related to the controversial call.
The original phone exchange, which stems from heightened tensions following a border clash that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, also aligns with a longstanding historical conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. This incident adds to ongoing border restrictions and trade disputes, even as the Shinawatra family's historical ties to Hun Sen remain influential.
Amidst her northern Thailand flood relief trip, Paetongtarn acknowledged that peaceful protests are a citizen's right. The recent rally, marking the largest since she assumed office, saw thousands braving monsoon rains at Bangkok’s Victory Monument, brandishing Thai flags and banners stating "PM is enemy of state." Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan asserted that the prime minister should resign, branding her leadership as problematic.
70-year-old Seri Sawangmue travelled from northern Thailand to join the demonstration, expressing concerns for the country's sovereignty and labeling the PM as unfit for office. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra who returned to Thailand last year following a 15-year exile, has held her position for just ten months, making her the second female prime minister after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The call for an end to Shinawatra's leadership spans over two decades, backed by a coalition of groups that have consistently protested against their governance. In a statement to attendees, they claimed that both the executive and legislative branches are failing to uphold democratic values and constitutional monarchy principles.
Protesters equipped with umbrellas against the rain were met with a burst of color as a rainbow emerged over the rally site. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is set to evaluate a petition from senators aimed at removing Paetongtarn for alleged unprofessional conduct related to the controversial call.
The original phone exchange, which stems from heightened tensions following a border clash that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, also aligns with a longstanding historical conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. This incident adds to ongoing border restrictions and trade disputes, even as the Shinawatra family's historical ties to Hun Sen remain influential.
