Hundreds of protesters gather in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtan Sinawatra.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The demonstrators took him on the streets on Saturday and were furious at the conversation on June 15th. Paetongtan urged current Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, who still wields considerable influence in his country – to listen to “the other side” of Thailand, including an outspoken Thai general who said “just looks cool.”
The army commander was in charge of the area where the border collision last month killed Cambodian soldiers. The man was killed on May 28th after an armed conflict in the disputed area.
The leaked call with Hun Sen was at the heart of Saturday’s protest and launched a series of investigations in Thailand that could lead to the removal of Paetongtarn.
Protesters held the national flag and signs as they occupied parts of the street around the victory memorial in central Bangkok. On the enormous stage established at the monument, speakers expressed their love for Thailand following the intensification of border conflict.
Many of the main figures in the protest are familiar faces of the group, commonly known as yellow shirts, whose clothing color indicates loyalty to the Thai monarchy. They are longtime enemies of former Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, the father of Paetonggaan, who is reportedly a close ties with Han Sen.
The yellow shirt rally became violent, leading to military coups in 2006 and 2014.
Hun Sen on Saturday promised to protect his country’s territory from foreign invaders, and condemned what was called an attack by Thai forces last month.
To celebrate his longstanding Cambodian People’s Party foundations, Hun Sen insisted on action by Thai forces when Cambodian troops were illegal.
He said that despite Cambodia’s goodwill to resolve Cambodia’s border issues, skirmishes within Cambodia’s territory are a serious violation of the state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“This poor Cambodia suffered from foreign invasion, war and genocide, surrounded by the past, isolated and insulted, but now Cambodia has risen to an equal face with other countries. Peace, friendship, cooperation and development are most needed.
There is a long history of territorial disputes between countries. Thailand is still rattled by the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the territory of the dispute where the historic Puriha temple stands. There were serious conflicts in 2011, but they were sporadic. The ruling from the UN court was reaffirmed in 2013 when Yingluck was prime minister.
The scandal defeated the vulnerable coalition government in Paetongtan and sacrificed the loss of her Fau party’s biggest partner, the Bumujaytay party.
Bhumjaithai’s departure left the 255-seat 10-party union just above the majority of the 500-seat home.
Paetongtarn is also facing investigations by the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Agency. Their decision could lead to her removing from her job.
Sarote Poongrangpan, executive director of the National Anti-Corruption Committee Office, said on Wednesday that his agency is investigating Paetongtan for serious violations of ethics against Hun Sen’s phone calls. He gave no possible timelines for decisions.
The report said the Constitutional Court could halt Paetongtarn from mission as the investigation is pending, and could decide whether the case would be imposed next week. The Prime Minister said Tuesday that she was not worried and was ready to give evidence in support of her case.
“From the phone it was clear that I had nothing to gain from it and I also did not harm the country,” she said.
The court removed her predecessor from Pheu Thai last year for a violation of ethics.
