Protesters' right affirmed by PM; peaceful discussions advocated, amidst demands for her departure from office
In the heart of Bangkok, a significant rally is taking place at the Victory Monument today, the 84th anniversary of the monument's unveiling. The rally, organised by the Thai Sovereignty Defence Group, "Uniting the Power of the Land for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty," is demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The rally has been sparked by leaked communications between PM Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s Hun Sen, which many see as compromising Thai sovereignty and escalating border tensions. The group accuses the Prime Minister of undermining Thai sovereignty and calls for her resignation, the withdrawal of coalition parties from her government, and a firm defense of national sovereignty.
The situation worsened following ceasefire talks with Cambodia that the protest leaders criticized as resulting in the loss of disputed territory at the Ta Kwai temple. Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the rally group, condemned the government, particularly Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai, for agreeing to the ceasefire without adequately consulting the military and not preventing territorial loss and casualties.
In response to the crisis, the Constitutional Court of Thailand suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties on July 1, 2025, pending a ruling on a case alleging unethical conduct related to the leaked phone call with Hun Sen. Despite calls for her resignation from protesters, Paetongtarn and her coalition partners have rejected stepping down or dissolving parliament, intending to maintain government stability.
The protests continue into August 2025, with large rallies at Victory Monument where thousands show support for the Thai military and demand accountability. The protest group reiterates their demands for Paetongtarn’s resignation, government withdrawal by coalition parties, and a stronger stance defending Thai sovereignty.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn, however, remains defiant. She has emphasised that it's a matter of rights and has ruled out retaliation despite calls for her to step down. Security forces have been instructed by the Prime Minister to maintain order and prevent violence at the rally. The organisers of the protest, too, are calling for national unity.
It's important to note that the protest at Victory Monument is not related to Thailand's rank as the first country globally for gender equality in women's education, nor to the BOI's confidence in Japanese and Korean firms maintaining their Thai bases despite US tariffs.
As the situation unfolds, it reflects ongoing political instability tied to sensitive border disputes and controversies around the Thai government's handling of sovereignty issues. Prime Minister Paetongtarn, however, has affirmed the public's right to protest peacefully and is open to dialogue with demonstrators, provided it's through peaceful means. She hopes the protest will not escalate due to the involvement of multiple groups.
[1] The Nation [2] Bangkok Post [4] Reuters
- The ongoing political instability in Thailand, centered around the Victory Monument protests, is now being closely watched by newspapers such as The Nation and Bangkok Post, and international news agency Reuters.
- The education sector in Thailand, renowned for its gender equality, remains unaffected by the ongoing political crisis.
- The Thai government's policies regarding business and the economy have taken a backseat in light of the escalating border disputes and protests demanding political change.
- The Thai government's handling of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, particularly in relation to sovereignty issues, has become a hot topic of discussion, impacting foreign relations with countries like Cambodia.
- The issue of migration, which was a concern for the Thai government, has been temporarily overshadowed by the major protests in Bangkok.
- While crime-and-justice and accidents, including car-accidents and fires, continue to be reported daily in Thailand, they have not played a significant role in the ongoing political crisis.
- Despite the ongoing political protests, Thailand is working to maintain its cultural diversity and promote national unity, an essential aspect of the country's identity.
