Massive Demonstration at Victory Monument
Demanding Accountability
On June 28, 2025, thousands gathered at Victory Monument in Bangkok, urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resign over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Organized by the United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty, the protest, estimated at 6,000 by mid-afternoon and growing to over 10,000, marked the largest anti-government rally since Pheu Thai’s 2023 rise, spotlighting tensions over a border crisis.
Veteran Activists Lead Charge
Voices of Sovereignty
Prominent activists, including Sondhi Limthongkul, Jatuporn Prompan, and Warong Detkijwikrom, addressed the crowd, condemning Paetongtarn’s leadership. Warong accused her of compromising national interests, contrasting her with her father Thaksin’s corruption scandals. The rally, featuring a national anthem performance at 6 PM, symbolized unity in defending Thai sovereignty, with speeches continuing into the evening under intermittent rain.
Security and Traffic Management
Robust Police Presence
Authorities deployed over 200 CCTV cameras, drones, and K9 units to monitor the rally, confiscating weapons like knives and box cutters. One arrest was made for assaulting an officer, and another for a Computer Crime Act violation. Traffic was managed by closing key roads like Ratchawithi and Phahon Yothin, diverting vehicles to the Din Daeng expressway. Four ambulances stood by, with nearby hospitals on alert for emergencies.
Regional Support for Protest
Nationwide Mobilization
Protesters from provinces like Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanulok joined the Bangkok rally, with groups traveling by bus and van. In Nakhon Ratchasima, 200 rallied at Thao Suranari Monument, led by Supot Piriyakiatsakul, vowing to oust Paetongtarn. The colorful attire and Thai flag accessories echoed past anti-Shinawatra movements, signaling strong regional backing for the protest’s demands.
Judicial Scrutiny Looms
Constitutional Court Decision Pending
The rally’s timing aligns with a June 30 Constitutional Court meeting to consider a senators’ petition to remove Paetongtarn on ethics grounds over the leaked call. Acceptance of the complaint could lead to her suspension, intensifying public pressure. Past Shinawatra governments faced similar judicial and protest-driven challenges, culminating in coups in 2006 and 2014, raising concerns about political stability.
Prime Minister’s Response
Calls for Peaceful Dialogue
While inspecting floods in Chiang Rai, Paetongtarn acknowledged the protesters’ rights but declined to engage directly, offering openness to peaceful talks. Her restrained response contrasts with the rally’s fervor, led by veterans of the 2014 Bangkok Shutdown. As protests threaten to escalate, the government faces a critical juncture, with the court’s ruling likely to shape Thailand’s political trajectory.
