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The Star
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai protesters call for Prime Minister Paetongtarn's resignation
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra looks during a press conference after a meeting on measures to solve transnational crimes,at the Government House, following a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between her and Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, amid a border dispute between the two countries, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. Government House of Thailand Handout via REUTERS/File Photo BANGKOK (Reuters) -Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with Cambodia. The rally, the largest anti-government protest since her Pheu Thai party came to power in 2023, increases pressure on Paetongtarn, 38, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and keep a fragile government coalition together ahead of a potential no confidence vote next month. Protesters waved flags beside Victory Monument, a war memorial at a busy intersection, in a demonstrationorganised by the United Force of the Land, a coalition of largely nationalist activists who have rallied against other Shinawatra-backed governments over the last two decades. While the past protests did not directly cause the downfall of those governments, they built up pressure that led to judicial interventions and military coups in 2006 and 2014. The political turmoil in Thailand threatens to further damage the country's struggling economic recovery. Paetongtarn said on Saturday that she was not concerned about the protest and had instructed authorities to ensure the gathering was peaceful. "It's within people's rights and I will not retaliate," she said. The prime minister, who now controls a slim majority coalition following the exit of former partner Bhumjaithai Party last week, could face a no confidence vote when parliament reconvenes next week. Bhumjaithai Party last week withdrew its support for the government citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity after a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen. During the call, Paetongtarn appeared to seek to appease the veteran Cambodian politician and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologised for her comments. The prime minister also faces judicial scrutiny after a group of senators petitioned the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body with a wide remit to investigate her conduct over the leaked phone call. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal. Hun Sen, a former ally of the Shinawatras, madean unprecedented public attack on Paetongtarn and her family in an hours-long televised speech on Friday, calling for a change in government in Thailand. The Thai foreign ministry described the speech as "extraordinary" while insisting that Thailand prefers to use diplomacy to resolve the escalating bilateral dispute. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thai protesters call for Prime Minister Paetongtarn's resignation
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra looks during a press conference after a meeting on measures to solve transnational crimes,at the Government House, following a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between her and Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, amid a border dispute between the two countries, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. Government House of Thailand Handout via REUTERS/File Photo BANGKOK - Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with Cambodia. The rally, the largest anti-government protest since her Pheu Thai party came to power in 2023, increases pressure on Paetongtarn, 38, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and keep a fragile government coalition together ahead of a potential no confidence vote next month. Protesters waved flags beside Victory Monument, a war memorial at a busy intersection, in a demonstration organised by the United Force of the Land, a coalition of largely nationalist activists who have rallied against other Shinawatra-backed governments over the last two decades. While the past protests did not directly cause the downfall of those governments, they built up pressure that led to judicial interventions and military coups in 2006 and 2014. The political turmoil in Thailand threatens to further damage the country's struggling economic recovery. Paetongtarn said on Saturday that she was not concerned about the protest and had instructed authorities to ensure the gathering was peaceful. "It's within people's rights and I will not retaliate," she said. The prime minister, who now controls a slim majority coalition following the exit of former partner Bhumjaithai Party last week, could face a no confidence vote when parliament reconvenes next week. Bhumjaithai Party last week withdrew its support for the government citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity after a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen. During the call, Paetongtarn appeared to seek to appease the veteran Cambodian politician and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologised for her comments. The prime minister also faces judicial scrutiny after a group of senators petitioned the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body with a wide remit to investigate her conduct over the leaked phone call. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal. Hun Sen, a former ally of the Shinawatras, made an unprecedented public attack on Paetongtarn and her family in an hours-long televised speech on Friday, calling for a change in government in Thailand. The Thai foreign ministry described the speech as "extraordinary" while insisting that Thailand prefers to use diplomacy to resolve the escalating bilateral dispute. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thai and Cambodian leaders visit disputed border as tensions simmer
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra looks during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. Government House of Thailand Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand - The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are visiting different parts of their disputed land border on Thursday as tensions between the two neighbours simmer over a territorial dispute and the Thai government teeters on the brink of collapse. The deterioration of relations was sparked by brief armed clashes in a border area late last month that left one Cambodian soldier dead. What followed were a series of tit-for-tat measures by both countries including troops mobilisations, Cambodia's suspension of all fuel and gas imports from its neighbour, and the partial closure of checkpoints by Thailand along the 817 km (508 miles) land border. The conflict has added fuel to a crisis facing Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and scrambling to keep a fragile coalition together in the face of protests as well as a parliamentary no confidence vote. As she arrived on Thursday morning at the Thai bordertown of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, opposite Cambodia's Poipet, Paetongtarn was greeted by a crowd of supporters, with several of them holding a large sign saying "Love You Prime Minister Paetongtarn". The Prime Minister said the purpose of her visit was to survey the ongoing crackdown on transnational crime and gauge the impact of border restrictions, which saw Thailand halting all vehicles, tourists and traders from all land border crossings into Cambodia. "We want to see the impact from this policy and what the government can do to help, this is our main goal for the visit today," Paetongtarn said in a meeting with officials. The Thai Prime Minister earlier this week linked the proliferation of illegal online scam centres to Cambodia, but Cambodian authorities have denied involvement. At another part of the border, former Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Thursday morning visited troops and officials in Oddar Meanchey province, opposite the Thai province of Surin. Local media footage showed Hun Sen, in military fatigues, arriving by helicopter and meeting with officials in the area. The two leaders has until recently enjoyed warm personal ties, helped by the close relationship between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn's influential father, Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. But in a leaked phone conversation with Hun Sen, Paetongtarn was heard denigrating a Thai military commander - a red line in a country in which the military holds significant clout - piling political pressure on the Thai government. The prime minister has since apologised over the leaked call but the incident was used as a justification by the Bhumjaithai party to leave the government coalition last week. Bhumjaithai said earlier this week that it will seek a parliamentary no confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her cabinet over the leaked call. Paetongtarn is also facing judicial scrutiny after a group of senators gave the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body a wide remit to investigate her conduct. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal. Anti-government groups are also planning a street protest starting Saturday, demanding her resignation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai and Cambodian leaders visit disputed border as tensions simmer
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra looks during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. Government House of Thailand Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand (Reuters) -The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are visiting different parts of their disputed land border on Thursday as tensions between the two neighbours simmer over a territorial dispute and the Thai government teeters on the brink of collapse. The deterioration of relations was sparked by brief armed clashes in a border area late last month that left one Cambodian soldier dead. What followed were a series of tit-for-tat measures by both countries including troops mobilisations, Cambodia's suspension of all fuel and gas imports from its neighbour, and the partial closure of checkpoints by Thailand along the 817 km (508 miles) land border. The conflict has added fuel to a crisis facing Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and scrambling to keep a fragile coalition together in the face of protests as well as a parliamentary no confidence vote. As she arrived on Thursday morning at the Thai bordertown of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, opposite Cambodia's Poipet, Paetongtarn was greeted by a crowd of supporters, with several of them holding a large sign saying "Love You Prime Minister Paetongtarn". The Prime Minister said the purpose of her visit was to survey the ongoing crackdown on transnational crime and gauge the impact of border restrictions, which saw Thailand halting all vehicles, tourists and traders from all land border crossings into Cambodia. "We want to see the impact from this policy and what the government can do to help, this is our main goal for the visit today," Paetongtarn said in a meeting with officials. The Thai Prime Minister earlier this week linked the proliferation of illegal online scam centres to Cambodia, but Cambodian authorities have denied involvement. At another part of the border, former Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Thursday morning visited troops and officials in Oddar Meanchey province, opposite the Thai province of Surin. Local media footage showed Hun Sen, in military fatigues, arriving by helicopter and meeting with officials in the area. The two leaders has until recently enjoyed warm personal ties, helped by the close relationship between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn's influential father, Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. But in a leaked phone conversation with Hun Sen, Paetongtarn was heard denigrating a Thai military commander - a red line in a country in which the military holds significant clout - piling political pressure on the Thai government. The prime minister has since apologised over the leaked call but the incident was used as a justification by the Bhumjaithai party to leave the government coalition last week. Bhumjaithai said earlier this week that it will seek a parliamentary no confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her cabinet over the leaked call. Paetongtarn is also facing judicial scrutiny after a group of senators gave the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body a wide remit to investigate her conduct. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal. Anti-government groups are also planning a street protest starting Saturday, demanding her resignation. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by David Stanway)
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Thai PM claims she has coalition support after resignation calls
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra walks with Second Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang in Ubon Ratchathani, following a leak of a phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, amid a border dispute between the two countries, in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, June 20, 2025. Government House of Thailand/ Handout via REUTERS BANGKOK — Thailand's prime minister, seeking to fend off calls for her resignation, said on Sunday all coalition partners have pledged support for her government, which she said would seek to maintain political stability to address threats to national security. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has faced criticism for her perceived mishandling of a border row with Cambodia, including over a phone call with the country's former leader, Hun Sen, the audio of which was leaked on Wednesday. After the initial leak, Hun Sen released the full audio, in which Paetongtarn appeared to kowtow before the veteran Cambodian politician and to denigrate a senior Thai military commander—crossing red lines for her critics and some former allies. A major coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, quit the ruling alliance soon after the leak, overshadowing Paetongtarn's premiership and a parliamentary majority cobbled together by her Pheu Thai party. "The country must move forward. Thailand must unite and push policies to solve problems for the people," Paetongtarn, the daughter of influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, posted on X after a meeting with coalition partners, including the United Thai Nation party. Prior to the post, the UTN had looked set to demand her resignation in return for backing the ruling coalition. The government and the country's influential military share a common position, to back democratic principles and follow the provisions of the constitution, said the 38-year-old leader, a political neophyte who was appointed prime minister last year. Activists, among them groups with a history of influential rallies against the Shinawatra administration, have scheduled a protest in Bangkok starting on June 28 to demand Paetongtarn's resignation. — Reuters
