Sun Jun 29 10:00:00 UTC 2025: **BANGKOK (AP) —** Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Bangkok on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid growing political turmoil. The unrest stems from a leaked phone call between Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, igniting public anger over the handling of a recent border dispute.

The controversy centers around Shinawatra’s perceived appeasement of Hun Sen, now the Cambodian Senate President, following an armed confrontation in May that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Critics accuse her of undermining a regional army commander and compromising Thailand’s sovereignty.

Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen condemned what he called an attack by Thai forces last month and vowed to protect Cambodia’s territory from foreign invaders.

The rally, organized by conservative, pro-royalist groups known as the Yellow Shirts, saw an estimated 20,000 protesters waving national flags and chanting slogans at Victory Monument. Protesters vowed to return if their demands for Shinawatra’s resignation were not met.

The scandal has already fractured Shinawatra’s coalition government, with the Bhumjaithai Party withdrawing support. Furthermore, Shinawatra faces multiple investigations, including one by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, potentially leading to her removal from office. The Constitutional Court is also considering a petition to remove Shinawatra, based on the phone call, and could suspend her pending investigation as early as next week.

Shinawatra maintains her innocence, stating the phone call did not benefit her or harm the country.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of territorial disputes, including a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarding Cambodia the disputed territory where the Preah Vihear temple stands.

Associated Press writer Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia contributed to this report.

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