Veteran statesman Hun Sen, the current President of the Cambodian Senate, recently spoke out about former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He made it clear that Thaksin’s public statements and actions came as no surprise to him. Hun Sen suggested he understands the inner workings of his neighbor’s politics better than most. He even hinted at past private conversations, urging Thaksin not to forget what was said between them.
The remarks came in a strong Facebook post on Sunday, July 13, 2025. It was a direct response to several comments Thaksin made days earlier. Thaksin had spoken about Hun Sen during a public event on July 9, 2025, sparking this unusual public spat.
A Web of Crime and Accusations
Hun Sen started by addressing a hot topic: online scam gangs. He called on world leaders and the ASEAN bloc to pay close attention to Thaksin’s recent revelations. He recalled his own earlier statements from June 27, 2025, made in Preah Vihear province. He had asserted that leaders of online scam operations were spread across the country. Bangkok, he said, served as a major base for cybercrime and large-scale money laundering. These criminal networks, he noted, had steadily expanded from their base into Cambodia.
Just days ago, on July 9, 2025, Thaksin himself admitted something striking. In a televised interview, he confirmed that many key figures in online fraud schemes still live freely. They occupy expensive luxury apartments in Bangkok. These individuals, he claimed, can travel between countries without being arrested.
The very same day, authorities at Don Mueang Airport arrested a person linked to massive online gambling and money laundering. The sum involved was an eye-watering 11.52 billion baht. This happened as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a sharp rise. Drug production and trafficking in the Golden Triangle region had increased. This area borders Myanmar, Laos, and the country in question. The UNODC report highlighted that the country had become a major transit point for drugs from this region.
Hun Sen used these points to challenge regional politicians. He urged them to stop falsely blaming Cambodia. Instead, he said, they should open their eyes to the reality. Their own country, he argued, had become a haven for call center networks, drug gangs, and money laundering operations. He also pointed out a recent comment from a suspended Prime Minister. That leader had called closing the border to fight online gambling a “serious political ethics error.” Hun Sen stressed that dealing with cross-border crime needs regional cooperation, not blame games.
The “Diving Competition” and Border Tensions
The Cambodian leader then turned to a strange metaphor. He noted Thaksin’s recent announcement: “no war between armies.” Instead, Thaksin had compared the current situation to a “diving competition.” The one who holds their breath longer, Thaksin suggested, would win. Hun Sen took this to mean endurance in maintaining border closures. If this was the case, Hun Sen implied, then Thaksin himself was behind the border shutdowns.
Cambodia, Hun Sen declared, is ready for this “game.” They will play it, no matter how long it takes. He did, however, question if the person who started this “game” could see it through to the end.
A Long History of Counsel and Betrayal
Hun Sen offered a glimpse into his deep connection with Thaksin. He stated he could speak for over three hours about their history. He mentioned assisting Thaksin from 2006 all the way to 2025. This long relationship, he implied, gave him unique insights.
He recounted a specific moment from the evening of June 15, 2025. Thaksin had sent a message through an advisor. The demand was that Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai party, Deputy Prime Minister, and Interior Minister, had to be removed. This was so Thaksin’s party, Pheu Thai, could control the Interior Ministry. Hun Sen’s direct response at the time: “If you remove him, prepare to be removed yourself.”
The Cambodian leader concluded by stating his lack of surprise at Thaksin’s “betrayal.” He reasoned that if Thaksin could betray his own nation, betraying a foreigner like Hun Sen was hardly shocking. But he strongly reminded Thaksin not to forget their past discussions. This included specific requests, like advice on how to remove a defense minister within 24 hours. He also mentioned Thaksin’s alleged disrespectful comments about both the former and current monarchs.
Hun Sen reflected on how some academics in the region marvel at his understanding of his neighbor’s politics. He explained it simply: Thaksin himself kept him updated. He sought Hun Sen’s opinions almost daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on his schedule. These frequent talks, Hun Sen pointed out, were always about Thaksin’s own political affairs. They had nothing to do with Cambodia’s business.