Protesters seek Prime Minister's resignation following phone conversation disclosure
Thai Protesters Call for Resignation of Prime Minister After Scandalizing Leaked Phone Call
On Thursday morning, a group of citizens, mainly activists and elderly supporters of the monarchy, congregated near Government House, initiating a protest against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The main catalyst for these demonstrations is a controversy sparked by an alleged leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The rally is being spearheaded by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, an organization heavily invested in questioning Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father, regarding special treatment he received during his prison sentence. The protesters set up camp on Chamai Maruchet bridge in front of Government House, taking turns to voice their demands for the Prime Minister's resignation.
The atmosphere around Government House was tense, with security measures in place to maintain order. Police vans encircled the area, while sound equipment and officers from various units such as Dusit, Nang Lerng, Protection and Crowd Control Division, and Nam Whan ensured a barrier between the protesters and the Government House premises.
A three-tier human barricade was established to prevent demonstrators from entering the Government House grounds. Authorities closely monitored the sound levels from the protest stage to make sure they adhered to the maximum permissible limit of 125 decibels. Traffic disruptions occurred initially, but were soon resolved at 9 am. If the protest spilled onto the road, Phitsanulok Road may face another closure.
The recent protests represent a continuation of the political dissatisfaction faced by the current administration, escalating concerns regarding the Shinawatra family and their controversial impact on Thailand's political landscape. This tension poses possible threats to the democracy that Thailand has been striving to strengthen, providing a platform for hardliners and the military to increase their influence.
This situation is an echo of previous critical moments in Thai politics involving the Shinawatra family, raising concerns about a potential return to political chaos or the possibility of military intervention or a coup if the situation becomes more volatile.
Related: Opposition Demands House Dissolution to Avert Coup
As the protest unfolds, the fate of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra remains uncertain, with demonstrators voicing their dissatisfaction and demanding change.
The protesters, led by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, have set up camp at Chamai Maruchet bridge, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This ongoing protest, a part of the general-news landscape, underscores the ongoing political tension in Thailand, related to the Shinawatra family and their perceived controversial influence on Thai politics.
