Thai protesters call for Prime Minister Paetongtarn s resignation

BANGKOK – Thousands of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on June 28 demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with Cambodia.

The rally, the largest anti-government protest since her Pheu Thai Party came to power in 2023, increases pressure on Ms Paetongtarn, 38, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and keep a fragile government coalition together ahead of a potential no-confidence vote in July.

Protesters waved flags beside the Victory Monument, a war memorial at a busy intersection, in a demonstration organised by the United Force of the Land – a coalition of largely nationalist activists who have rallied against other Shinawatra-backed governments over the last two decades.

While the past protests did not directly cause the downfall of those governments, they built up pressure that led to judicial interventions and military coups in 2006 and 2014.

The political turmoil in Thailand threatens to further damage the country’s struggling economic recovery.

Ms Paetongtarn said on June 28 that she was not concerned about the protest and had instructed the authorities to ensure the gathering was peaceful.

“It is within people’s rights, and I will not retaliate,” she said.

Ms Paetongtarn, who now controls a slim majority coalition following the exit of former partner Bhumjaithai Party last week, could face a no-confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes next week.

The Bhumjaithai Party last week withdrew its support for the government, citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity after a leaked phone conversation between Ms Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former premier Hun Sen.

During the call, Ms Paetongtarn appeared to