Thai protesters call for premier's resignation over border dispute

Bangkok Post Group

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday (June 28) demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with Cambodia. - REUTERS

Transcript

00:00Protesters gathered in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Saturday,

00:03demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pei Tung Thanh Shenawatra,

00:07as our government faces a rising anger over a border route with Cambodia.

00:11The rally is the largest anti-government protest since our poor Thai party came to power in 2023.

00:16It was organised by the United Force of the Land, a coalition of largely

00:20nationalist activists who have rallied against other Shenawatra-back governments over the last

00:24two decades. These led to judicial interventions and military coups in 2006 and 2014.

00:32But that's something this protester doesn't want right now.

00:36She says that past military coups haven't provided the best solution for the nation

00:40or solved key issues like corruption. But 59-year-old Supani just wants the Prime Minister to resign.

00:48She says she doesn't trust her.

00:49The protest increases pressure on the Prime Minister, who is battling to revive a faltering

00:57economy and keep a fragile coalition together, ahead of a potential no-confidence vote next month.

01:03Last week, the Bum Jum Thai Party, the second largest party in the coalition,

01:06withdrew its support for the government. They cited the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity,

01:12a relieved phone call between Pei Tung Thanh and Cambodia's former Premier Hun Sen.

01:16During the call, the Prime Minister appeared to seek to appease the veteran Cambodian politician.

01:22She also criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in the country where the military has

01:27significant clout. The call came after the death of a Cambodian soldier during a flare-up along the

01:32disputed border between the two nations in May. The Prime Minister now also faces judicial scrutiny,

01:37after a group of senators petitioned the constitutional court and a national anti-craft body with a wide

01:43remit to investigate her conduct over the call. While Pei Tung Thanh has apologised for our comments,

01:48decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal.

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