Politics Nationalist Protest Movement Calls for PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Resign

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A nationalist protest movement has issued a formal statement calling for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down immediately, urging coalition parties to withdraw their support and aligning themselves with the military to “defend the sovereignty of the nation”.

 

The rally, organised by the “United Force for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty” (คณะรวมพลังแผ่นดินปกป้องอธิปไตยไทย), took place on 28 June, at the Victory Monument in central Bangkok, drawing a growing crowd despite heavy rainfall. As numbers swelled into the night, police closed nearby roads for safety and traffic control.

 

Amid a highly charged atmosphere, protest leaders took turns on stage delivering fiery speeches, while demonstrators participated in symbolic acts such as singing the Thai national anthem in unison. At approximately 18:00, Nittitorn Lamlua (also known as “Lawyer Nok Khao”), a prominent protest leader, read aloud a detailed declaration condemning the current government.

 

Accusations of Betrayal and Foreign Allegiance

 

The statement sharply criticised the government, asserting that Thailand’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, regardless of how they came to power, have consistently failed to uphold the principles of democracy or serve the interests of the Thai people. It accused successive governments of contributing to a deepening national crisis across political, economic and judicial sectors, as well as international relations and social ethics.

 

Particularly scathing was the criticism of Prime Minister Paetongtarn, who was labelled as “incompetent, dishonest and ethically unfit to govern”. The group claimed she has undermined national stability, dishonoured her oath of office, and even betrayed the country by allegedly aligning with hostile foreign elements.

 

They further accused her administration of being controlled by foreign powers, conspiring to erode Thailand’s sovereignty and exploiting national resources, which they described as acts tantamount to treason under Thailand’s criminal code.

 

Demands for Resignation and Coalition Exit

 

The protest movement called for Paetongtarn’s immediate resignation and demanded that all coalition parties withdraw their support, stating they had “lost all legitimacy”. Failure to do so, they argued, would imply complicity in actions deemed harmful to the nation.

 

The group urged the Thai public to exercise their sovereign power, as enshrined in the Constitution, by uniting peacefully to pressure the government. Protesters were also encouraged to support the military, described in the statement as a vital institution for safeguarding national sovereignty.

 

Path Toward Reform and National Unity

 

The group concluded with a pledge to seek a democratic and ethical path forward that respects Thai traditions. They called for reforms grounded in morality, transparency, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance, with the aim of building a secure, prosperous, and sustainable Thailand in all sectors, political, economic, social and international.

 

This demonstration marks an escalation in political tensions, echoing similar movements from Thailand’s past. Whether these calls will lead to any tangible political shifts remains uncertain, but the rhetoric signals a deepening divide within Thai society over the future direction of the country’s leadership and governance.

 

Related article:

 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1365082-protesters-rally-at-victory-monument-calling-for-pm’s-resignation/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-29