Yellow shirts return to Bangkok streets demand Thai PM quit

BANGKOK - Hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered outside Thailand’s Government House on June 19, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that triggered public outrage.

The scandal rocked Ms Paetongtarn’s coalition after the Bhumjaithai party, a key partner, pulled out on the evening of June 18, accusing her of undermining the country and insulting the dignity of the military.

The leaked call, in which Ms Paetongtarn referred to the Thai army’s north-eastern commander as her opponent and addressed Mr Hun Sen as “uncle”, has drawn strong public backlash.

The protest, held in scorching tropical heat, drew mostly elderly demonstrators wearing yellow shirts – the colour strongly associated with Thailand’s monarchy – who accused the 38-year-old leader of “lacking diplomatic skills” and “endangering national interests”.

“I was very disappointed when I heard the (leaked) audio,” Ms Kanya Hanotee, 68, a temple worker told AFP.

“She lacks negotiation skills. Who does she think she is? This country is not hers.”

Protesters waved Thai flags and placards labelling Ms Paetongtarn a “traitor”, and chanted “Get out!” and “Go to hell!” while dozens of riot police stood nearby.

Many in the crowd were long-time supporters of the conservative, pro-royalist “Yellow Shirt” movement, which has fiercely opposed the Shinawatra political dynasty since the 2000s.

Ms Kaewta, 62, a housewife from Bangkok said she joined Yellow Shirt protests near Bangkok’s Democracy Monument two decades ago.

“I didn’t support any political party. All I knew was that I hated Thaksin and his family,” she told AFP. “Our politicians are all corrupt.”

The battle between the conservative pro-royal establishment and Mr Thaksin’s political movement backed by its own “Red Shirt” supporters has dominated Thai politics for more than 20 years.

Yellow Shirts, backed by Royalists and business elites,