Thai PM Faces Growing Protests After Controversial Phone Call

Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following her controversial phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen, revealing political tensions and fears of military intervention.

On Saturday, thousands gathered around Bangkok's Victory Monument demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The protests, ignited by a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s Hun Sen, reflect escalating public discontent. While over 6,000 demonstrators braved unfavorable weather conditions, their largely peaceful assembly amplifies the pressure on the prime minister following her derogatory remarks about Thailand's military made during the call.

The audio from June 15 revealed her addressing Hun Sen as "uncle" and suggesting she would “arrange” whatever he wanted, leading to accusations of political betrayal from her critics. Patcharee Twitchsri, a 66-year-old former insurance agent, decried, “This prime minister is selling out the nation… she has no experience.”

In response, Ms. Paetongtarn condemned the leak, claiming she was only using diplomatic language to manage a border conflict. Speaking from Chiang Rai, she acknowledged the protestors' rights to express discontent yet expressed her intention to handle the situation through dialogue, stating, "I don’t intend to retaliate."

The unfolding events are being closely monitored in a country where public uprisings have historically influenced government stability. While there are concerns about potential military involvement, analysts believe a coup is unlikely at this point. The next few days will be crucial in determining the trajectory of both the government and the protests as the political landscape remains volatile.