Protesters in Thailand urged Shinawatra to quit:
To express their disapproval of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s handling of the continuing border issue with Cambodia, tens of thousands of demonstrators defied Bangkok’s monsoon rains.
In spite of the afternoon monsoon rains, authorities in Bangkok said that about 17,000 demonstrators had turned up.
“Ung Ing, get out,” they screamed, using the prime minister’s moniker.
One of the protest leaders, Parnthep Pourpongpan, stated, “She should step aside because she is the problem.”
The United Force of the Land, a nationalist organization, planned the demonstration on Saturday. The group has already mobilized against earlier administrations headed by different Shinawatra family members.
For what reason do demonstrators want Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down?
Paetongtarn’s handling of a border issue with Cambodia involving an ancient Buddhist temple has caused her to become increasingly unpopular.
When the Thai and Cambodian soldiers engaged in a border battle on May 28, the conflict erupted. The incident claimed the life of one Cambodian soldier.
A phone conversation intended to defuse tensions between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was leaked to the media in the days that followed.
During the call, Paetongtarn was accused of kowtowing to the Cambodian MP by referring to him as her “uncle” and calling a Thai military commander across the border her “opponent.” She then expressed regret for the remarks.
Source: DW News
