Thailand Responds to Unprecedented Attack by Former Cambodian Leader hun Sen
Bangkok, Thailand – thailand’s foreign ministry expressed surprise Friday at a scathing public rebuke of Prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her family by Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, but emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the growing bilateral dispute [source].
In a remarkable televised address lasting over three hours, Hun Sen, who governed Cambodia for nearly four decades before stepping down in 2023, sharply criticized Prime Minister Shinawatra’s handling of a long-standing border dispute between the two nations. The former leader also targeted Paetongtarn’s father, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a once-close ally [source].
“It surprised us, and it’s quite remarkable in terms of diplomatic norms,” stated Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura. “Thailand has opened a lot of doors,and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning.” [source]
Hun Sen, now President of the Cambodian Senate but retaining important influence, accused Shinawatra of displaying disrespect towards him and his son, current Cambodian Prime Minister hun Manet. He further alleged that Thaksin Shinawatra fabricated an illness to avoid imprisonment, claiming, “Thaksin was not sick. He pretended to be sick.” [source]
The public criticism follows the leak of a June 15th phone call between Shinawatra and Hun Sen, in which the Prime Minister appeared overly deferential and criticized a Thai military commander.This leak occurred after increased tensions along the disputed border, stemming from a brief exchange of gunfire in late may that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier [source].
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Thailand is actively pursuing dialog between the two countries’ foreign ministers to resolve the escalating situation [source].
SEO Keywords: Thailand, Cambodia, Hun Sen, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin Shinawatra, border dispute, diplomacy, Southeast Asia, international relations, Reuters.
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