A political friendship that spanned three decades is now in shambles. Recent actions by Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, have sent shockwaves across the region. His public accusations against his old ally, Thaksin Shinawatra, have stirred up a hornet’s nest. This sudden rift has even shaken up the government in a neighboring country.
It all started when Hun Sen revealed a private phone call he had with Paetongtarn Shinawatra. She is Thaksin’s daughter and a prominent political figure. Hun Sen then openly accused Thaksin of faking a serious illness. He also publicly called Thaksin a betrayer of his own country. This move has pushed the long-standing bond between these two political heavyweights to its breaking point.
The fallout was swift. On July 1st, a constitutional court ordered Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down from her prime ministerial duties. This decision followed the leak of that phone call and ethics complaints against her. This has thrown the political scene into uncertainty. Many believe Thaksin Shinawatra himself will feel the biggest impact of this new crisis.
Hun Sen didn’t stop there. He recently posted another strong attack against Thaksin. He wrote that he wasn’t surprised by Thaksin’s disloyalty. If Thaksin could betray his own nation, then betraying a foreign friend was no big deal. Hun Sen reminded Thaksin of past talks and advice he had given.
This deep friendship between Hun Sen and Thaksin began in 1994. Thaksin was just starting his political journey then, serving as Foreign Minister. A key figure connecting them was General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a former leader. General Chavalit was a kind of mentor to Hun Sen. In 1988, a government initiative aimed to turn Indochina from battlefields into markets. Under this plan, the country sought to mediate Cambodia’s civil conflict. General Chavalit played a crucial role in bringing peace.
General Chavalit also guided Thaksin’s political ascent. In 1996, Chavalit, then the prime minister, appointed Thaksin as his deputy. When Thaksin became leader in 2001, Chavalit again served as a deputy. General Chavalit was instrumental in building the bond between Thaksin and Hun Sen. In 2001, under Thaksin’s leadership, the two nations paused a maritime border dispute. They agreed to work together on shared offshore resources. While that project later stopped, their personal ties remained strong.
Their closeness was evident in many ways. In 2009, during Thaksin’s time in exile, Hun Sen appointed him an economic advisor. Later, in 2013, Thaksin’s niece married the son of a close aide to Hun Sen. Even more dramatically, Hun Sen helped Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, flee the country in 2017. She was escaping a verdict in a rice subsidy case.
Thaksin’s own return to his country in 2023 was complicated. He had been ousted by a military takeover in 2006. For years, he was at odds with conservative groups, including the military. His return involved forming an unusual coalition government with former rivals. Despite this, he successfully pushed his daughter into the top job. He continues to pull strings from behind the scenes. Some have even called him the “shadow prime minister.”
Hun Sen’s public remarks have put Thaksin in a difficult spot. Hun Sen spoke on June 27th, revealing details of a visit to Thaksin’s home in February 2024. He stated Thaksin was faking his illness to avoid jail. Hun Sen claimed Thaksin asked for a neck brace and arm sling for photos. He then took them off to eat dinner. Hun Sen called it “an act.”
Unpacking the Betrayal: Why Now?
Many theories float around about why Hun Sen would turn on such a long-time friend. One idea Hun Sen offered was that Paetongtarn had criticized him online. She reportedly called his border comments “improper.” But this reason seems too small for such a big break.
Another theory suggests Hun Sen is acting tough to boost his image at home. This seems unlikely since he has already handed power to his son, Hun Manet. He still holds firm control over the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
Sam Rainsy, a Cambodian opposition leader living in France, offered a different thought. He believes Hun Sen might be upset about crackdowns on Chinese online gambling and call center groups near the border. Sam Rainsy claims these are important secret funding sources for the current government in Phnom Penh. If this is true, cutting ties might not be the smartest move. Personal connections often help with backroom deals.
Professor Hiroshi Yamada, a Cambodia expert at Niigata University in Japan, has a compelling idea. He thinks Hun Sen has decided he must settle the border dispute before his power truly fades.
The border between the two countries spans 817 kilometers. Both nations use different maps for drawing lines. One uses a 1:50,000 map, the other a 1:200,000 map. This causes many arguments over land. About 195 kilometers of the border remain undefined. The ancient Preah Vihear Temple is a symbol of this conflict. The World Court gave Cambodia ownership of the temple in 1962 and again in 2013. But the surrounding area remains unclear.
In 2011, there were clashes along the border. Many people died. The situation became so tense that Indonesia, as head of a regional group, considered sending peacekeepers. The tension eased after Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, won the election in 2011.
From Hun Sen’s viewpoint, if his friendship with Thaksin became an obstacle to resolving this border issue, he might see a break as necessary. Hun Sen is known for leading his country out of civil war and building its economy. He ruled for 38 years before stepping aside for his son. He still holds major influence.
However, a lasting border agreement remains unfinished business. This issue touches on national identity and pride. If Professor Yamada’s idea is right, this split is not just a passing mood. It may be Hun Sen’s final act to secure his place in history. He will turn 73 next month. Ending a 30-year friendship is a huge gamble. He hopes to permanently close the border dispute, leaving a powerful political legacy.
Sources: nikkeiasia, straitstimes