August 3, 2025 | 10:33 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several protesters in Thailand are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is currently suspended by the court. Shinawatra is accused of backing the military following a violent border dispute with Cambodia that has claimed the lives of over three dozen people and caused more than 260,000 people to flee.
They gathered at the Victory Monument in Bangkok amid the scorching heat. Many sang patriotic songs and listened to speeches condemning Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her father, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. There were also citizens expressing their support for the Thai military.
Police said there were about two thousand protesters at the monument square by late afternoon, with many expected to join as the evening approached.
Some locals accused Paetongtarn and her family of allowing the conflict, which has been ongoing for decades. Both sides claim the same territory near the border.
The court suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister last month after Hun Sen leaked a phone call. In the conversation, Shinawatra referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and appeared to belittle a Thai general, angering many people.
The recent clashes ended with a ceasefire mediated by Malaysia on July 29, 2025.
"Ung Ing, you must go," said a prominent conservative columnist and protester, Jittakorn Bussaba, using Paetongtarn's nickname. "Because your hands are bloodied. Many people have died because of you," she said from the stage, greeted by applause.
"I am here to help overthrow the government and protect Thailand's sovereignty and support the soldiers," said Kittiwat, 75, who only mentioned one name.
"Ung Ing has destroyed the country. Everyone needs to help," said 58-year-old Ammorn Khunthong. "Thaksin and his family should no longer lead or govern this country," he said, as quoted by Al Arabiya.
There were many familiar faces from the conservative pro-royalist group formerly known as the Yellow Shirts that participated in the demonstration. The Yellow Shirts group was a long-time foe of Paetongtarn's father, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon, entered politics by founding his own political party and buying the loyalty of local political elites across the country. He has often been accused of suppressing critics and not separating his business affairs from government matters.
The Yellow Shirts' protests also helped overthrow the elected government of Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in the 2014 coup.
The military in Thailand plays a major role in politics and has staged 13 coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. The most recent military coup was 11 years ago.
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