Picture courtesy of The Nation

 

In a bold statement today, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has applauded Thai authorities for their decisive actions against online crimes while questioning the political motivations behind such efforts.

 

On his Facebook page, Hun Sen said, "I congratulate the Thai authorities and police for their operations against online crimes. This helps reduce cybercrime infiltrating Cambodia, which has long flourished unchecked across Thai territory."

 

His comments come amid a backdrop of ongoing tensions over cross-border cybercrime issues, with Cambodia often feeling the impact of illicit activities originating from its neighbour.

 

Hun Sen was unsparing in his critique, stating, "This dismantling of online crime networks should have been done long ago. These activities have caused problems for Cambodia, especially along the border."

 

In a pointed aside, he remarked, “Thailand has dropped a rock on its foot!” This cryptic comment suggests scepticism about the underlying political motivations of the crackdown.

 

Hun Sen went further, invoking the name of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He argued that for consistency, Thai authorities should include Thaksin in their investigations. Thaksin is the father of the current suspended Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and has widely known connections to Hun Sen himself.

 

Hun Sen stated, "Several believe this crackdown on Kok An ties to my connections. Thus, the Thai court should consider investigating Thaksin, given his close ties to me. He even has a reserved room at my home."

 

He ended with a challenge, "Let’s see if the Thai court dares to open an investigation into Thaksin or not."

 

As of now, the political implications of Hun Sen's statement are causing ripples both in Thailand and Cambodia. While Thai authorities are yet to respond to these allegations, the call for an investigation into Thaksin could add another layer of complexity to their operations.

 

The financial implications, as noted by local analysts, hint at a significant economic burden. The cybercrime crackdown is expected to cost millions, with expenditure likely reaching into the tens of millions Thai Baht.

 

Meanwhile, the public and media watchers continue to follow this unfolding narrative closely, as it sheds light on the intricate dance of diplomacy and power that characterises relations between these neighbouring nations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-07-09

 

 

26 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This helps reduce cybercrime infiltrating Cambodia, which has long flourished unchecked across Thai territory

He has basically insulted Thailand. 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He ended with a challenge, "Let’s see if the Thai court dares to open an investigation into Thaksin or not."

Good challenge!

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

His comments come amid a backdrop of ongoing tensions over cross-border cybercrime issues, with Cambodia often feeling the impact of illicit activities originating from its neighbour.

He needs to clean up his own backyard too....

15 hours ago, Purdey said:

He has basically insulted Thailand. 

What goes around comes around....

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Hun Sen was unsparing in his critique, stating, "This dismantling of online crime networks should have been done long ago. These activities have caused problems for Cambodia, especially along the border.

Hun Sen needs to remember that any crackdown Thailand does is short lived and forgotten quickly. Those call centers will return as will the Chinese that ran and operated them within a few months. 

A local power falling out similar to that of Trump and Musk

From best of mates to deadly enemies ... How the wheel turns!

The last thing Hun Sen wants to see is casinos going up in Thailand.

A direct challenge to his monopoly in the region.

Doesn't Toxin campaign for casinos?  This is a major part of the

recent Thai-Cambodia spat.

On 7/9/2025 at 4:46 PM, snoop1130 said:

This helps reduce cybercrime infiltrating Cambodia, which has long flourished unchecked across Thai territory.

 

He's clearly having a laugh. How about the scam compounds nearby the Vietnamese border then, Vietnam's fault? And the ones in Sihanoukville and nearby Phnom Penh? Oops. The one country all these have in common is Cambodia.