Thousands of protesters gathered at Bangkok’s Victory Monument on Saturday, demanding the resignation of suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The rally, which took place amid sweltering heat, also served as a show of support for Thailand’s military in the wake of a deadly border conflict with Cambodia.
The recent violence left more than three dozen dead and displaced over 260,000 people. By mid-afternoon, police reported around 2,000 participants, with expectations of a growing crowd as the temperature dropped.
Shinawatra Ties to Cambodia Spark Outrage, Fuel Demands for Leadership Change and Accountability
Protesters accused Paetongtarn and her influential political family of mishandling the long-standing border dispute with Cambodia. Suspicion was fueled by leaked audio in which she referred to Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticized a Thai general.
Her close ties with Hun Sen, still influential in Cambodian politics, sparked public outrage and led to her court suspension last month. Critics argue that these affiliations compromised Thailand’s national interests and security.
Though a fragile ceasefire, brokered by Malaysia, was reached on July 29, anger over the loss of life and displacement remains high. Prominent protest speakers, including conservative columnist Jittakorn Bussaba, blamed Paetongtarn directly for the casualties, calling her resignation a moral imperative.
Other demonstrators echoed this sentiment, stating that the Shinawatra family should no longer hold power in Thailand due to repeated controversies and alleged corruption.
Yellow Shirts Reemerge as Military Influence Grows Amid Ongoing Shinawatra Family Backlash
Many protest attendees were affiliated with the Yellow Shirts, a conservative and pro-royalist movement known for opposing the Shinawatra family. The group played a key role in the ousting of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 and his sister Yingluck in 2014. Their presence at Saturday’s rally reflects a continued resistance to what they see as a dynastic political grip by the Shinawatras, fueled by populist tactics and alleged abuses of power.
Thailand’s army remains a central force in national politics, having led 13 successful coups since 1932. The latest political turmoil reinforces the military’s dominant role and the public’s reliance on it during times of crisis. While civilian governments come and go, the armed forces continue to exert considerable influence over political outcomes, especially during periods of national instability or leadership crises.
