#Thailand #Protests #PrimeMinisterResignation
On Saturday in Bangkok, Thailand, thousands of government opposition protesters gathered at Victory Monument demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha. The demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with the current government and called for the Prime Minister to step down.
The tension between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute was exacerbated by a recent phone call between a Cambodian leader and the Prime Minister, leading to further unrest. During the phone conversation, Prime Minister Prayuth referred to the Cambodian leader as ‘uncle’ and labeled the Thai military commander stationed at the border as his ‘adversary,’ sparking anger towards the Prime Minister.
As a representative of Kansai Nepal News, Ramesh Khatri expressed concern over the situation. He highlighted the prolonged stay in power of a certain political lineage and criticized Prime Minister Prayuth for allegedly weakening the Thai military and engaging in unnecessary diplomatic conflicts. Khatri also noted that a key coalition partner had recently announced discontinuing cooperation with the government.
Around 10,000 protesters gathered at Victory Monument, displaying Thai flags and placards with messages like ‘Corrupt Prime Minister, Resign’ causing traffic disruptions. The protesters, mostly elderly individuals and experienced activists from the ‘Yellow Shirt’ movement, voiced their grievances against the government.
The demonstrators’ discontent stems from past events, such as supporting the removal of Thaksin Shinawatra, the father of Prayuth, during the 2000s. Notably, a prominent organizer of the current protests, elderly activist Seri Sawangmuang, emphasized the need to protect Thailand’s democracy and criticized the Prime Minister’s competence.
Reflecting on the publicized phone call, Sawangmuang stated, “When I heard the leaked conversation, I realized I could not trust him.” He further expressed concerns about the political crisis in Thailand and the potential threats to the country’s sovereignty under the current leadership.
The ongoing struggle between the ‘Yellow Shirt’ anti-monarchy and pro-Thaksin ‘Red Shirt’ factions has been a recurring theme in Thailand for over a decade. Critics view these movements as endangering traditional social structures. Another protester, 64-year-old Jamnong Kalanar, formerly associated with the ‘Red Shirt’ group, disclosed a personal transformation towards the ‘Yellow Shirt’ movement and echoed the call for Prime Minister Prayuth’s resignation, citing love for the country as his motivation.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: June 29, 2025 3:00 am
