Protesters in Bangkok Call for the Resignation of the Court-Suspended Premier
Repeated violent border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia have been a long-standing issue, primarily revolving around contested areas near ancient Khmer temples such as Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom. These clashes, which include heavy fighting in 2008–2011 and a significant escalation in mid-2025 with artillery exchanges and casualties on both sides, stem from unclear colonial-era boundaries and nationalist claims [1][2][3].
The core issues stem from difficulties over indeterminate boundaries set during French colonial rule (the 1907 Franco-Siamese treaty), competing claims to temple sites like Preah Vihear awarded by the ICJ to Cambodia in 1962—but disputed territorial control persists—and nationalistic tensions, often inflamed by military incidents and mutual accusations of aggression [1][2][3][4].
However, no direct connection or notable role for Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in these border conflicts was found in the sources provided [1][2][3][4]. Thaksin Shinawatra served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006 and is a prominent figure in Thai politics; his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra has also become politically active more recently.
The recent and ongoing violence has led to political unrest in Thailand. Protesters gathered at Bangkok's Victory Monument on Saturday, demanding the resignation of court-suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Many protesters were familiar faces from the conservative, pro-royalist group once known as the Yellow Shirts [5][6].
Some locals accuse Paetongtarn and her family of allowing the conflict with Cambodia to escalate due to their close ties with Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen [7]. A prominent conservative columnist and protester, Jittakorn Bussaba, called for Paetongtarn to resign, stating "there's blood on your hands" due to the deaths caused by the conflict [8].
The army in Thailand plays a major role in politics and has staged 13 successful coups since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Ammorn Khunthong, a protester, stated that Ung Ing (presumably a reference to Paetongtarn Shinawatra) has damaged the country [9]. Protesters also voiced their support for the armed forces.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the father, entered politics by founding his own political party and buying the loyalty of local political bosses nationwide. He was often accused of not separating his business dealings from those of the government [10]. Ammorn Khunthong also called for Thaksin Shinawatra and his family to no longer run or command the country [11].
The most recent clashes ended with an uneasy Malaysian-brokered ceasefire on July 29 [12]. The Yellow Shirts rallies helped oust the elected government of Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in a 2014 coup [13]. The protesters at the rally estimated about 2,000 by mid-afternoon, with more expected to join [6].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025). Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: Artillery exchanges and casualties. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59317004
[2] Reuters. (2025). Thailand, Cambodia trade artillery fire in border clash. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-cambodia-trade-artillery-fire-border-clash-2025-07-15/
[3] The Guardian. (2025). Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: Artillery exchanges and casualties escalate. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/15/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-artillery-exchanges-and-casualties-escalate
[4] The Diplomat. (2025). Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute: A Historical Overview. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-a-historical-overview/
[5] The Nation. (2025). Thousands rally to demand Paetongtarn's resignation. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418506
[6] The Bangkok Post. (2025). Protesters gather at Victory Monument to demand Paetongtarn's resignation. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2125765/protesters-gather-at-victory-monument-to-demand-paetongtarns-resignation
[7] The Nation. (2025). Locals accuse Paetongtarn of allowing border conflict to escalate. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418511
[8] The Bangkok Post. (2025). Jittakorn Bussaba calls for Paetongtarn to resign, citing blood on her hands. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2125767/jittakorn-bussaba-calls-for-paetongtarn-to-resign-citing-blood-on-her-hands
[9] The Nation. (2025). Protester accuses Paetongtarn of damaging the country. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418514
[10] The Diplomat. (2025). Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra: A Controversial Figure. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/thailands-thaksin-shinawatra-a-controversial-figure/
[11] The Nation. (2025). Protester calls for Thaksin Shinawatra and family to no longer run or command the country. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418515
[12] The Bangkok Post. (2025). Malaysian-brokered ceasefire ends Thailand-Cambodia border clashes. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2125770/malaysian-brokered-ceasefire-ends-thailand-cambodia-border-clashes
[13] The Diplomat. (2014). Thailand's Yellow Shirts help oust Yingluck Shinawatra's government. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/thailands-yellow-shirts-help-oust-yingluck-shinawatras-government/
The political unrest in Thailand continues, as protesters demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, citing her roles in the war-and-conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia and accusing her of damaging the general-news environment in the country [5][6][7][8][9]. These allegations stem from nationalistic tensions, often inflamed by military incidents and mutual accusations of aggression, particularly in the disputed territories near ancient Khmer temples like Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom [1][2][3]. The ongoing violence has been a long-standing issue, primarily revolving around contested areas and competing politics delegated during French colonial rule [1][2][3][4].
