Protesters in Thailand Demand PM Resignation

Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over her handling of a volatile border dispute with Cambodia.

Despite heavy monsoon rains, Bangkok police estimated the turnout at over 17,000. The protest, led by the nationalist group United Force of the Land, saw crowds chanting for Shinawatra, nicknamed "Ung Ing", to step down, accusing her of undermining national sovereignty.

The unrest follows a deadly military skirmish on May 28 near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, a centuries-old sacred site claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia. The clash resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier and reignited nationalist tensions in Thailand.

Public outrage intensified after a leaked phone call between Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen surfaced. In the conversation, meant to ease diplomatic tensions, the Thai leader referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and described a Thai military commander stationed near the border as her “opponent”—remarks that critics saw as deferential and inappropriate.

Although Shinawatra issued a formal apology, the damage to her reputation was done. Protesters and political commentators alike argue that her conduct reflects a lack of resolve and compromised leadership during a sensitive territorial dispute.

Cambodia has reiterated its claim to the Preah Vihear temple, a stance supported by the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling and reaffirmed in 2013. On Saturday, during a speech marking the 74th anniversary of Cambodia's ruling party, Hun Sen condemned the Thai military's actions as a violation of Cambodian sovereignty, invoking Cambodia’s history of foreign occupation and resistance.

The Shinawatra family has long been a lightning rod in Thai politics, with previous administrations led by family members frequently challenged by mass protests and coups. Saturday’s demonstrations mark a renewed chapter in Thailand’s ongoing struggle between nationalist movements and populist leadership.