BANGKOK, Thailand. Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Bangkok on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that has intensified political tensions and threatened her fragile coalition government.
The leaked call, in which Paetongtarn allegedly urged Hun Sen not to listen to a Thai military officer critical of Cambodia amid a border clash, has drawn outrage and sparked accusations of unethical conduct. The border confrontation, which took place on May 28, resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier in a disputed area and has triggered multiple investigations.
Demonstrators, many of whom were associated with the pro-monarchy Yellow Shirt movement, rallied around the Victory Monument, waving national flags and holding signs. A large stage was set up as speakers addressed the crowd, calling for accountability and expressing frustration over Paetongtarn’s handling of the border dispute.
The Yellow Shirts have historically opposed the Shinawatra political dynasty. Their past demonstrations contributed to military coups that ousted Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, in 2006, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014.
The controversial call reportedly referred to a regional Thai army commander who had publicly criticized Cambodia’s stance on the dispute. In response, Hun Sen, now president of the Cambodian Senate, accused Thailand of violating Cambodian sovereignty. Speaking at a Cambodian People’s Party event in Phnom Penh, he condemned the Thai military’s actions and declared Cambodia’s readiness to defend its territory.
“This poor Cambodia has suffered from foreign invasion, war, and genocide,” Hun Sen said. “Now Cambodia has risen… we need peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.”
Territorial tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have a long history, including a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the land around the Preah Vihear temple, and clashes in 2011. The court reaffirmed its decision in 2013, during Yingluck Shinawatra’s term as prime minister.
The scandal has shaken Paetongtarn’s ruling coalition, leading to the departure of its largest partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, which had already been at odds with her Pheu Thai Party over control of the Interior Ministry. Some Bhumjaithai leaders are also under investigation for allegedly rigging last year’s Senate elections.
The coalition is now reduced to 255 seats in the 500-seat lower house, barely holding a majority.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn faces separate probes by the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC is investigating whether her call to Hun Sen constituted a serious ethical breach. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide soon whether to take the case, and could suspend her from office during the investigation.
“I’m not worried. I’m ready to present the facts,” Paetongtarn said Tuesday. “It was clear from the phone call that I had nothing to gain from it, and I also didn’t cause any damage to the country.”
Thailand’s courts and oversight agencies, particularly the Constitutional Court, have long been seen as key tools of the royalist establishment in curbing the influence of elected leaders linked to the Shinawatra family.
