Fact Check: "PM Paetongtarn's leaked call sparks largest protest since her party took power."
What We Know
Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok on June 28, 2025, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra following the leak of a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. In this call, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle" and criticized a Thai military commander, stating he "just wanted to look cool and said things that are not useful" regarding a recent border dispute (Reuters) 1. The protest was noted as the largest since the Pheu Thai party, which Paetongtarn leads, came to power in 2023, with estimates of around 20,000 participants (AP News) 3.
The protest was organized in response to growing dissatisfaction with Paetongtarn's handling of the border situation with Cambodia, which has seen increased tensions following a deadly incident involving a Cambodian soldier (BBC) 2. Protesters expressed their anger by waving Thai flags and holding placards with slogans such as "PM is enemy of state" (New York Times) 4.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the leaked call sparked the largest protest since Paetongtarn took office is robust. Multiple reputable sources confirm that the protest was indeed the largest since her party's ascension to power, attributing the surge in public dissent directly to the leaked phone call (Reuters) 1, (AP News) 3.
The reliability of these sources is high; they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Associated Press and Reuters, for example, have a long-standing reputation for journalistic integrity and thorough fact-checking. The New York Times and BBC also maintain rigorous editorial standards, lending further credibility to their accounts of the events.
Critically, the protests were characterized not only by their size but also by the emotional and political context surrounding them. The dissatisfaction with Paetongtarn's leadership appears to be fueled by a combination of her perceived weakness in foreign policy and longstanding political rivalries in Thailand, particularly involving the Shinawatra family (Al Jazeera) 8.
Conclusion
The claim that "PM Paetongtarn's leaked call sparks the largest protest since her party took power" is True. The evidence indicates that the protest was indeed the largest since the Pheu Thai party assumed power, directly linked to the fallout from the leaked phone call with Hun Sen, which has incited significant public outrage and calls for resignation.
Sources
- Thousands demand Thai prime minister quit over border dispute
- Thousands protest in Bangkok calling for Thai PM to resign
- Protesters rally in Bangkok to demand Thai prime minister’s resignation over leaked Cambodia call
- Thai Protesters Vent Their Exasperation With the Prime Minister
- Thailand protesters demand PM's resignation over leaked call with Hun Sen
