Politics PM's Conversation with Cambodian Leader Sparks Corruption Probe

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The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is probing an audio recording involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The clip has sparked significant interest due to its sensitive nature.

 

NACC's secretary-general, Saroj Phuengrampan, confirmed that the complaint regarding the recording has been officially lodged, prompting preliminary investigations. He assured that such actions are typical in high-profile cases, with findings to be presented to the NACC board.

 

Public concern arose from reports suggesting a 10-day investigation timeline. Mr Saroj clarified that this timeframe only applies to initial fact-gathering and transcript verification, not the entire investigation. "There is no rush to expedite this process beyond our standard procedure," he stated.

 

Currently, the case is in its early stages, where officials are assessing whether it falls within the NACC's remit, particularly given the conversation's potential ethical breaches. Key to this phase is analysing the content, which includes discussions in multiple languages. "Accurate translation is crucial," noted Mr Saroj, indicating that language experts might be involved.

 

The conversation contained derogatory remarks about the commander of the 2nd Army Region and appeared to show a compliant stance towards Hun Sen, with Ms Paetongtarn allegedly expressing readiness to meet his demands.

 

Asked about the possibility of summoning Ms Paetongtarn for questioning, Mr Saroj indicated that if current evidence suffices, her direct involvement may not be necessary at this stage. He stressed that the investigation is free from political interference, dismissing speculations of political motivations behind the probe.

 

The involvement of national security or diplomatic agencies will be contingent upon the outcomes of the investigation, Mr Saroj added. The NACC remains committed to proceeding with transparency and diligence, ensuring that the high-profile nature of the case does not affect the integrity of the investigation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-26