Thousands of people protest in Thai capital, demanding Prime Minister Prayut Thaksin step down

According to the Associated Press, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, on the 28th, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Padma Tada, who may even be dismissed due to the leak of a recording of his conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The report pointed out that Thai people are increasingly dissatisfied with Padma Tada’s recent handling of the border dispute with Cambodia. Since the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia broke out on May 28, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, the relationship between the two countries has fallen to the lowest point in decades.

The recording of Padma Tada’s phone call with Hun Sen became the core focus of the protests on the 28th, and also triggered a series of investigations in the country. Padma Tada may be dismissed for this. Padma Tada’s comments on the military commander and his attempt to appease Hun Sen and ease the border situation have caused domestic dissatisfaction.

Bangkok police estimated that about 6,000 people joined the protesters. Despite heavy rain at the scene, protesters held banners in the center of Bangkok and used loudspeakers to criticize the government. Participants shouted slogans, the melody of democratic songs sounded at the scene, and the participants also danced.

Tatchakorn Srisuwan, 47, said, “Thailand has never had such a weak prime minister. We don’t want to invade anyone, but we are Thais and we want to defend Thailand’s sovereignty.” Some conservatives, the Yellow Shirts, also appeared at the protest. The Yellow Shirts are long-time political enemies of former Prime Minister Thaksin, the father of Patontha.

Hun Sen said on the 28th that although Thailand is willing to resolve the border issue, the actions of the Thai army on the border seriously violate Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said, “Poor Cambodia has been invaded by foreigners, wars and genocide, surrounded, isolated and humiliated, but Cambodia has risen and is on an equal footing with other countries.”

The scandal has caused the collapse of Patontha’s fragile coalition government and the loss of its largest partner, the Thai Pride Party. Due to the withdrawal of the Thai Pride Party, the coalition government composed of 10 parties has only 255 seats, and Patontha is also facing other investigations that may lead to his dismissal.