BANGKOK: Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign after a leaked diplomatic phone call stirred public anger.

A Cambodian elder statesman leaked a call meant to soothe a border spat between the two nations in which Paetongtarn called him `uncle` and referred to a Thai military commander as her `opponent`.

A key party abandoned Paetongtarn`s coalition, accusing the 38-year-old dynastic premier of kowtowing to Cambodia and undermining Thailand`s military, leaving her teetering with a slim parliamentary majority.

About 10,000 demonstrators jammed roads ringing the capital`s Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and placards reading `Evil PM, get out`.

One speakertooktothe stage and shouted: `PM, you committed treason! The crowd was mostly senior-aged and led by veteran activists of the `Yellow Shirt` movement, which helped oust Paetongtarn`s father Thaksin in the 2000s.

One of Thaksin`s former allies, now among his harshest critics, was also a key organiser.

`I`m here to protect Thailand`s sovereignty and to say the PM is unfit, said 70-year-old protester Seri Sawangmue, who travelled overnight by bus from the country`s north to attend. `After I heard the leaked call I knew I couldn`t trust her,` he said.-AFP