Demonstrators Gather in Bangkok, Insisting on the Resignation of Thai Prime Minister due to Disclosed Cambodia Phone Conversation
In the Thai capital, crowds flooded the streets on a Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This outburst of dissent follows a leaked phone call with ex-Cambodian Prime Minister, now Senate President, Hun Sen, escalating the turmoil spawned by a fatal border skirmish between the two nations.
Paetongtarn's handling of the border row with Cambodia has left a bitter taste among the populace, following a conflict in May which claimed a single Cambodian soldier's life. The leaked call has fuelled investigations that may lead to her removal, stirring up a storm of controversy.
The conversation's focus pointed towards Paetongtarn's comments to a regional army commander and her attempts to placate Hun Sen, perceived by many as a weak response to ease tensions along the border. Roughly 6,000 demonstrators took part in the rally, rallying around Victory Monument in central Bangkok, waving national flags and placards, with speakers criticising the government.
The unrest was propelled by the conservative, pro-royalist group known as Yellow Shirts, long-time adversaries of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Yellow Shirts were instrumental in ousting both Thaksin and his sister, Yingluck, in separate coups.
Hun Sen responded, branding Thailand's border action a severe violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, Cambodia has been mired in border disputes with Thailand for decades, and Thailand continues to grapple with the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia contested territories, including the Preah Vihear temple.
Recent political instability has crippled Paetongtarn's coalition government. The Bhumjaithai Party, her largest partner, abandoned the coalition, leaving her with a majority of 255 seats in the 500-seat house.
Moreover, Paetongtarn confronts an array of investigations targeting her ethics, not limited to the leaked phone call. If found guilty, these probes could lead to her ousting from office. The National Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating Paetongtarn for alleged breaches regarding the phone call, with no timeline for a verdict set in stone.
Concurrently, there are petitions circulating to demand Paetongtarn's removal due to the call. The Constitutional Court may make a decision on these petitions as early as next week, potentially suspending her duty while the investigations proceed. Unfazed, the Prime Minister expressed her readiness to defend her actions.
With the courts considered a cornerstone of Thailand's royalist establishment, harnessing them to undermine opponents has been a common tactic in Thai politics[1]. Other state agencies, including the Election Commission, have also played a role in sidelining political adversaries[2].
Politics and general news have become intertwined in Thailand, as Paetongtarn Shinawatra's handling of war-and-conflicts, specifically the border row with Cambodia, incites controversy and renewed demonstrations from opposition groups such as the Yellow Shirts. The leaked phone call with Hun Sen has further fueled investigations, possibly leading to Paetongtarn's removal from office and adding to the political instability in the nation.
