Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Bangkok on Saturday in the largest anti-government protest since Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office in 2023, calling for her resignation over a contentious border dispute with Cambodia and economic struggles.
The rally at Victory Monument, organized by nationalist group United Force of the Land, signals mounting challenges for the Pheu Thai party leader as she faces a potential no-confidence vote and judicial investigations that could threaten her premiership.
The protest comes at a precarious time for Paetongtarn, whose government lost its parliamentary majority after the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew support last week. The defection followed a leaked phone call between the prime minister and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, where she appeared to criticize a Thai military commander while discussing the border conflict—a move that sparked outrage in a nation where the armed forces hold significant influence.
Despite the backlash, Paetongtarn remained defiant, stating she respected protesters’ rights and had ordered security forces to ensure a peaceful demonstration. “I will not retaliate,” she said. However, her political survival hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court and anti-graft agency review petitions seeking her removal over the leaked conversation.
Border Row with Cambodia Intensifies Nationalist Anger
The diplomatic fallout intensified after Hun Sen, once an ally of the Shinawatra family, launched a scathing televised attack on Paetongtarn, urging a change in Thailand’s leadership. The Thai Foreign Ministry called his remarks “extraordinary” but reiterated its commitment to diplomatic resolution.
Nationalist protesters accuse the government of compromising Thai sovereignty, particularly in the disputed border regions with Cambodia. The controversy has galvanized opposition groups, reviving tensions reminiscent of past upheavals that led to military coups in 2006 and 2014.
Beyond the political firestorm, however, Paetongtarn struggles to stabilize Thailand’s sluggish economy, which has failed to rebound as hoped post-pandemic. With her coalition fraying and public discontent rising, analysts warn that prolonged instability could derail recovery efforts and spook investors.
As parliament prepares to reconvene, the prime minister’s fate may hinge on whether she can retain enough support to survive a no-confidence motion—or if judicial rulings could force her exit. For now, the streets of Bangkok remain a battleground, with protesters vowing to escalate demonstrations unless she steps down.
