Why are protesters in Bangkok calling for Thai PM's resignation, AP explains

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(28 Jun 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok, Thailand - 28 June 2025
1. Wide of protest
2. SOUNDBITE (English), Tian Macleod Ji, Associated Press:
"Hundreds of protesters have gathered at Victory Monument in Bangkok to call for the resignation of Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. They’re voicing their frustration with the beleaguered leader. A phone call between her and Cambodia’s former powerful prime minister Hun Sen was leaked recently, where Paetongtarn was criticized for taking a soft stance on an ongoing border dispute between the two countries that stretches back decades and saw a soldier killed in May this year. Critics say she’s weakened Thailand’s sovereignty, while she insists she was negotiating for peace. Since the leaked call, a major coalition partner of Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party has withdrawn, leaving them with a slim majority in parliament. At the protest - mainly a gathering of right wing nationalists - the anger was palpable. One protestor said he feels Thailand has never had a prime minister so weak. Another said she has no leadership skills. Paetongtarn is the third of her family to rule Thailand. Her father is the divisive and influential Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006. And her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011, but was toppled by the military in 2014. There are now fears of another military coup, although the army have sought to downplay the possibility."
3. Wide of protest
STORYLINE:
Thousands of protesters gathered in Thailand’s capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, part of the brewing political turmoil set off by a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Paetongtarn faces growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a recent border dispute with Cambodia involving an armed confrontation May 28.

One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area.

The recorded phone call with Hun Sen was at the heart of the demonstration Saturday and has set off a string of investigations in Thailand that could lead to Paetongtarn’s removal.

Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn's comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Hun Sen, the current Cambodian Senate president, to ease tensions at the border.

Protesters held national flags and signs as they occupied parts of the streets around the Victory Monument in central Bangkok.

At a huge stage set up at the monument, speakers took turns expressing love for Thailand following the intensified border dispute.

Protesters chanted, sang and danced to songs stoking nationalist sentiment.

Many of the leading figures in the protest were familiar faces from a group popularly known as Yellow Shirts, whose clothing color indicates loyalty to the Thai monarchy.

They are longtime foes of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who reportedly has a close relationship with Hun Sen.

Yellow Shirts rallies turned violent and led to military coups in 2006 and 2014, which respectively ousted the elected governments of Thaksin and Paetongtarn’s aunt, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

AP Video shot by Tian Macleod Ji

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