Thousands Rally in Bangkok Demanding PM Paetongtarn's Resignation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. According to Channel NewsAsia, the demonstration stemmed from growing public anger over border tensions with Cambodia.

This was the largest anti-government protest since the Pheu Thai party assumed power in 2023 and has added pressure on Paetongtarn, a 38-year-old leader and daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

She is facing challenges in reviving the struggling economy and maintaining unity within a fragile coalition, with a possible no-confidence vote looming next month.

The rally took place near the Victory Monument, a prominent landmark in the city. It was organized by the United Force of the Land, a nationalist coalition that has long opposed governments linked to the Shinawatra family.

Although past protests have not directly removed any administration, they have contributed to political turmoil that led to judicial rulings and military coups in 2006 and 2014. The current unrest risks undermining Thailand’s already fragile economic recovery.

On Saturday, Paetongtarn said she was not concerned about the demonstrations and instructed officials to ensure they remained peaceful. “It’s within people’s rights and I will not retaliate,” she stated.

Her coalition lost its majority after the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew its support last week, citing threats to Thailand’s sovereignty. The decision followed leaked phone recordings between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which she criticized a Thai army commander—a sensitive issue in a country where the military holds considerable sway.

She later apologized, but the controversy led to legal complaints from senators who petitioned the Constitutional Court and the anti-corruption commission to investigate her actions. Their rulings could potentially result in her removal.

Adding to the tension, Hun Sen launched a lengthy televised speech on Friday in which he attacked Paetongtarn and her family, accusing her of disrespecting the Thai monarchy and urging regime change in Bangkok. He also threatened to reveal information about her family.

In response, Thailand’s foreign ministry called Hun Sen’s remarks “extraordinary” and reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes through diplomatic channels.

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