FROM AUDIO CLIPS TO RALLY CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND

Wallop Phumra
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University

The Thai government cannot deny that the audio clip of the conversation between Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, and Samdech Maha Akkharabodi Techo Hun Sen of Cambodia, which was released online, has created dissatisfaction among many Thai people, especially the statement that “I do not want Samdech Hun Sen to listen to the “Second Army Commander” of Thailand because he is from the opposite side.” “If you want anything, just tell me. I will arrange it for you.” (BBC Thai, 2025). The news of the call for the prime minister to resign has affected the attitude of the coalition parties, prompting pressure for them to withdraw from the coalition government. As a result, each coalition party has taken immediate action. The Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, Chart Thai Party, and Democrat Party all convened urgent meetings of their party executive committees but ultimately decided to remain in the government. Only the Bhumjaithai Party resolved to withdraw from the coalition government, along with calling for P.M. Paethongtarn Shinawatra to take responsibility for causing Thailand to lose its dignity. The dignity of the nation, the people, and the army (Thai PBS, 2568) (Although it is well known that the reason for withdrawing from the coalition government was the seizure of the Ministry of Interior (Plue Mongkol, 2568))

In terms of the attitude of people that has significant movements, it is the gathering of several political activist groups, including academics and former politicians, on June 20, 2568, such as Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, the leader of the United People for Thailand [UPT] Group, Mr. Nitithorn Lamluea from the People’s Alliance for Democracy, Mr. Panathep Puapongpan, the chairman of the Yam Phaendin Foundation (representing Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul), Ms. Rosana Tositrakul, Mr. Jemsak Pinthong, Mr. Kaewsarn Atibodi, former members of the Senate, Pol: Gen. Sereepisuth Temiyaves, the leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jessada Tonawanik, a legal scholar, stated that the group, named the “Uniting the Power of the Land for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty Group,” issued a call for the prime minister to resign immediately and for the coalition government parties to withdraw from the government immediately. Because it has lost its legitimacy. The statement stated in part that “having acted in a manner that is hostile to the country is considered an offense under the Criminal Code, Chapter 3, on offenses against state security outside the Kingdom, in violation of the provisions of the Constitution, Chapter 5, on state duties, with behavior as reported in public news in the form of “colluding and expressing intentions in using power and duties to respond to the needs of enemies and showing oneself through words that make it understood that one is on the same side as enemies who intend to invade, violate sovereignty, occupy Thai land, including national resources, betray the trust of the Thai people, and violate the oath taken before assuming the position of Prime Minister” (BBC News Thai, 2025) and announced a large rally on June 28, 2025, at Victory Monument.

Looking back over the past 30 years, the rally to oust the Prime Minister has never been successful, despite the pressure exerted through peaceful methods during the rally, but Thai politics changed to the point of causing the Prime Minister to resign or dissolve the House of Representatives must be exchanged for bloodshed or from non-democratic powers.

In 1992, General Chamlong Srimuang led the people to rally to oust Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon. The government chose to use violent methods by sending soldiers and police with armored vehicles and live ammunition to break up the rally, causing injuries and deaths to the protesters. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej ordered General Suchinda and General Chamlong to have an audience with His Majesty. It said in part, “If we continue to confront each other like this, Thailand will only sink. Moreover, it will make Thailand, which we have built up so well for a long time, become a country that has no meaning or has a very negative meaning” (The Momentum, 2022). Finally, the Prime Minister resigned.

In 2006, the People’s Alliance for Democracy, led by Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul, gathered to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but the pressure did not cause the Prime Minister to resign. Instead, the military staged a coup under the leadership of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. Even without loss, it is an undemocratic path.

In 2014, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, gathered to demand that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign, which ultimately led to a coup by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Army Commander.

In 2025, an analysis indicated that there was no sign of a coup. Mr. Wira Thiraphat, an independent academic, noted the case of the Prime Minister announcing the results of the discussion with military leaders on the conflict with Cambodia, with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force standing behind the Prime Minister to announce the results of the discussion, confirming that the government had reached an understanding with the military and could therefore it has removed from the political equation (9MCOT, 2025). This is consistent with Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, who confirmed that there was no coup, as the era had changed (Matichon Online, 2025). However, two days later, he gave the opposite opinion, stating that no one can guarantee there will be no more coups (Krungthep Thurakij, 2025).

The rally of the Uniting the Power of the Land for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty Group on June 28 at the Victory Monument announced the end of the rally on the same night. Although there was no call for the military to stage a coup by the leader on stage, Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul, said, “I did not incite a coup because the military did not say when they would stage a coup. They will do it whenever they want. If they see that a political crisis has occurred and cannot be solved, it is their business if they do it” (THE STANDARD TEAM, 2025); it created dissatisfaction among political groups such as the People’s Party, to the point of posting the issue on their Facebook page, condemning the speeches of some leaders on stage that had content that paved the way for a coup, including inciting nationalism that went beyond the limits (PPTV online, 2568). Similarly, Mr. Ko Kaew Pikulthong, a member of the House of Representatives of the Pheu Thai Party, asked Mr. Jatuporn, “Will you still stand on the same stage? If you do, you should be questioned, what is your position?” (PPTV online, 2568), causing the issue of the coup to be brought up again.

However, there are currently no signs of a coup. It may be a good sign that proves that Thailand has moved beyond the path outside of democracy. This has caused political attention to shift to the Constitutional Court, especially on July 1, 2025, when it will meet to consider the petition of 36 senators in the case of signing a petition for the Constitutional Court to rule on two issues:

1. The status of the accused (P.M. Paethongtarn Shinawatra) ends specifically according to the Constitution, Section 170, Paragraph One (4), in conjunction with Section 160 (4) and (5).

2. An order is issued for the accused to stop performing their duties until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling, as there is clear evidence that “the accused has a personal relationship and secretly negotiated with the President of the Senate of Cambodia in a manner that threatens the security of Thailand’s territory and sovereignty, which has caused serious damage and will be difficult to remedy later. Therefore, to prevent imminent violence, In addition, the petitioner’s petition has substantial grounds for the court to decide according to the petition,” therefore, the Constitutional Court is requested to set temporary measures or methods by ordering the defendant to stop performing the duties of the prime minister until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling (Trisuwan, 2025).

According to Mr. Nakarin Mektrairat, President of the Constitutional Court, “There are two options: accept the petition for consideration or issue an order not to accept it… If the court accepts the case for consideration, it does not mean that it will automatically order the prime minister to stop performing his duties; instead, it will consider the facts on a case-by-case basis to determine whether continuing to hold the position will have an impact. In the past, there have been many cases where the court accepted the case for consideration without an order to stop performing his duties” (Khao Hoon Business Online Newspaper, 2025).

Although the rally by the “Uniting the Power of the Land for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty Group” ended at the Victory Monument, Mr. Jatuporn Prompan announced that the Constitutional Court ordered Ms. Paethongtarn to stop performing her duties. She still does not repent; he will announce an escalation of the rally, which will not demand her resignation but will instead demand her expulsion.

In addition to the Constitutional Court, which will meet to consider the case of the audio clip, there will also be the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Central Investigation Bureau, and the Election Commission. Some users utilize this channel to submit their issues for consideration, which can put pressure on the Prime Minister and the coalition government. Therefore, it is not just focused on the Constitutional Court or the protesters. However, some channels embody the beauty of democracy, offering many alternatives to solve the problem.

Reference

9MCOT. (2025, June 19). ‘Ajarn Wira’ declares! No signal…coup (June 19 68) | Keep your ears open. Accessed from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30pcyUqsm9c

BBC News Thai. (2025, June 20). Listen to the reasons of the “same old people” who called for a rally to “Uniting the Power of the Land” to expel the 3rd generation of the Shinawatra family prime ministers. Accessed from BBC News Thai: https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/c8e4kdw92z8o

BBC News Thai. (2025, June 18). Remove the leaked audio clip of Hun Sen-Paetongtarn. Who said what? Accessed from BBC Thai: https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/cvg833461l5o

Khao Hoon Business News Online. (2025, June 25). The Constitutional Court has scheduled a meeting on July 1 to consider the petition of the “audio clip of the Prime Minister”. Accessed from Khao Hoon Business News Online: https://www.kaohoon.com/news/general/763314

Krungthep Thurakij. (2025, May 22). ‘Phumtham’ does not confirm that a coup will not happen; instead, it emphasizes the importance of patience and advocates for problem-solving processes rather than shortcuts. Accessed from Bangkok Business: https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/politics/1181412#google_vignette

Matichon online. (2025, June 19). Phumtham confirms that the army understands the PM’s promise that there will be no coup and slams Bhumjaithai for repeatedly criticizing him even though he knew from the beginning… Read the original news at: https://www.matichon.co.th/politics/news_5238077. Access information from Matichon online: https://www.matichon.co.th/politics/news_5238077

Plue Mongkol, K. (2025, June 19). “Newin” posts the national flag “Thai body, not a slave’s heart – independence will not be oppressed by anyone” after the clip of “Ing-Hun Sen” was leaked. Accessed from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1274973403988599&set=a.814810313338246

PPTV online. (2568, June 29). “Kor Kaew,” asks “Jatuporn.” Where is his position? After “Sonthi” calls for a coup. Accessed from PPTV online: https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/Politics/251618.

PPTV online. (2568, June 29). “People’s Party” condemns the United Power of the Land mob, inciting to pave the way for a coup. Accessed from PPTV online: https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/Politics/251606.

Thai PBS. (2568, June 18). Urgent! “Bhumjaithai” withdraws from joining the government, ministers submit resignation letters. Accessed from https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/353343

The Momentum. (2022, May 24). On May 24, 1992, General Suchinda Kijjanonda resigned as Prime Minister. Accessed from The Momentum: https://themomentum.co/otd-24-may-2535/

THE STANDARD TEAM. (2025, June 29). Sondhi announced that if there is a political crisis, then there will be a coup, “It is their business,” but asked that no generals be used to run the country. Accessed from The Standard: https://thestandard.co/sondhi-political-crisis-coup-quote/

Trisuwan, H. (2025, June 24). Open the complete petition of the Senate accusing Paetongtarn Shinawatra of violating ethical standards, the issue of the “leaked audio clip” of the conversation with Hun Sen. Accessed from BBC News Thai: https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/c9w15n78rnlo