Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This public outcry was sparked by a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
In the recording of the phone call released, Paetongtarn is heard attempting to resolve a simmering territorial dispute along the Thai-Cambodian border. This is an issue that has led to troops being mobilized on both sides in recent weeks. During the conversation, her offhand criticism of a Thai general led to wide criticism.
While Paetongtarn's supporters called it diplomacy, critics referred to it as undermining national interests. Despite the narratives, the fallout has been swift, bringing the gravest threat to her 11-month premiership.
"We have been asking for the resignation of the Prime Minister, that was turned down. We have been asking for the coalition parties to pull out, they turned that down. So now we only have the third one which we have been asking from the beginning but now there is only one left which is protecting our sovereignty," said Jade Donavanik, a legal scholar who participated in the protest.
Behind the political trigger, the Thai people have been growing increasingly dissatisfied with the new PM, as the economy has been sluggish since her appointment.
"It has been tough (since she came into power). The economy is in decline. The society is worse off. Every sector has been impacted, the people, business owners, and workers," said Klomkrit Tunkunpai, another protester.
Massive protest in Bangkok demands Thai PM resignation
