Key Developments: Leaked Call Fuels Outrage
- In the call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized a Thai military commander, saying he “just wanted to look cool.”
- The remarks were interpreted as undermining national sovereignty amid an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
- Paetongtarn later apologized, framing the call as a “negotiation technique.”
“It is the people’s right to protest, as long as it’s peaceful,” Paetongtarn told reporters before visiting flood-hit areas in northern Thailand.
Victory Monument Rally: Largest Since 2023 Elections
Despite heavy monsoon rains, crowds packed Victory Monument waving Thai flags, holding signs like “PM is enemy of state,” and chanting for the government to step down.
- Organized by a coalition that has long opposed Shinawatra-family leadership
- Protest leader Parnthep Pourpongpan said Paetongtarn “should step aside because she is the problem.”
- Many demonstrators accused the Shinawatras of being manipulated by Cambodia’s former strongman leader Hun Sen.
“I’ve lived through many political crises and I know where this is going,” said 70-year-old protester Seri Sawangmue, who traveled overnight from northern Thailand.
Historical and Political Context: Deep Roots of Distrust
- Paetongtarn, 38, is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former PM ousted in a 2006 coup and recently returned from 15 years in exile.
- Her 10-month-old premiership is now under fire, with protesters calling for an end to the Shinawatra political dynasty.
- The leaked call touched a nerve amid century-old border disputes with Cambodia, worsened by a deadly clash in May 2025 that killed a Cambodian soldier.
“The executive branch and parliament are no longer working in the interest of democracy and constitutional monarchy,” said organizers in a statement to the crowd.
Tuesday Court Decision Looms
- Thailand’s Constitutional Court is set to decide whether to hear a petition seeking Paetongtarn’s removal on grounds of unprofessional conduct.
- Hun Sen claimed he shared the 17-minute recording with 80 politicians, one of whom allegedly leaked it. He later posted the full call on Facebook.
A Symbolic Scene: Protest and Rainbows
- Protesters carried umbrellas through the storm, with a rainbow briefly arching over the rally, adding symbolic weight to the demonstration.
- Despite government reassurances, tensions remain high, both domestically and along the Cambodian border, where trade and cultural ties are now strained.
Visual Suggestions:
- Photo: Massive crowds at Victory Monument under umbrellas
- Infographic: Timeline of Thai-Cambodian border tensions
- Quote card: “PM is enemy of state” – Protest placard
- Map: Areas of Thai-Cambodian border restrictions
