Politics Thaksin Ends Friendship with Hun Sen Over Daughter's Scandal

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra publicly announced the end of his longstanding friendship with Cambodia's leader, Hun Sen. This dramatic fallout comes after the release of a recorded conversation involving his daughter, current Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which has stirred controversy.

 

Thaksin, speaking at a seminar hosted by Nation Group, expressed his shock over Hun Sen’s actions. The recording, which captured a private discussion between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn about border tensions, has led to a political uproar. In the conversation, Paetongtarn affectionately referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and appeared overly accommodating—a move that sparked criticism back home in Thailand.

 

Following the incident, Paetongtarn was suspended from her role as Prime Minister by the Constitutional Court, pending an investigation into allegations of ethical misconduct.

 

Thaksin explained that his daughter was unaware the conversation would be recorded, alleging that Hun Sen had orchestrated a meeting under false pretenses. Accompanied by senior officials, including Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai, they waited for a call from Hun Sen at a Bangkok hotel. After several hours without contact, they began to suspect foul play, only for Hun Sen to later make a private call to Paetongtarn.

 

Thaksin's trust in Hun Sen has taken a serious hit. The former Prime Minister confided that Hun Sen’s actions strained personal and political ties, adding, “I was wrong to trust someone like Hun Sen.”

 

This marks the first time Thaksin has spoken out since the border tensions and Paetongtarn's suspension. He remains firm that the dispute will not escalate into a full-blown conflict, reassuring that, “Thailand and Cambodia are not at war. It’s a border conflict, and we can still talk.”

 

Thaksin also directed some blame internally, noting he never anticipated the situation reaching such a level. He accused Hun Sen of damaging both their reputations, commenting, “What you did damaged both you and me.” According to Thaksin, Hun Sen has yet to respond to this personal message.

 

The fallout underscores the fragile nature of international relations, particularly within South East Asia. Thaksin's revelations highlight significant diplomatic challenges amidst escalating tensions, though he maintains that the situation is manageable and open for dialogue.

 

Accompanied by Paetongtarn and her husband, Thaksin’s address concluded with a confident assurance that peace is achievable, provided both nations engage in meaningful conversation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-07-10

 

 

[motdaeng]

... it would be great if hun sen finally exposed some of the dirty deals and shady activities involving khun toni ... 

(by the way, neither hun sen nor thaksin are innocent, both are criminals with blood on their hands ...)

[Hunz Kittisak]

Hun Sen is a lackey of China and sold out this ‘brother’ over Thailand’s plan to open casinos. 
 

[NanLaew]

In an interview published in the Khmer Times, Hun Sen hinted to revealing something that Thaksin has previously said that could seriously imperil his current status.

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin explained that his daughter was unaware the conversation would be recorded

 

Lol

[Henk Langeweg]

Who needs an enemy with this kind of 'friend'?

[NoMoonLogistics]

You're not my friend any more. Ffs

 

Thaksin may be political smart but Hun Sen has taken him for a joy ride. Once again.

 

Thaksin actually thought deeply corrupt shared personal bussiness interests - ie, the Thai way - trumps hardcore national interest to a truly nationalist political leader like Hun Sen. Sucked in.

 

Thaksin isn't a Nationalist - he is a 100% dedicated Shinawatraist whereas Hun Sen is a true political genious. (as well as all those other names we rightfully call him.)

[daveAustin]

13 hours ago, NanLaew said:

In an interview published in the Khmer Times, Hun Sen hinted to revealing something that Thaksin has previously said that could seriously imperil his current status.

And I hope he does. It’ll likely be that thing that cannot be mentioned. 

[Jim Blue]

1 hour ago, NoMoonLogistics said:

 

 

Thaksin isn't a Nationalist - he is a 100% dedicated Shinawatraist whereas Hun Sen is a true political genious. (as well as all those other names we rightfully call him.)

Genius ? Actually he's a ruthless dictator ....makes it a lot easier don't you think?

[NoMoonLogistics]

34 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

Genius ? Actually he's a ruthless dictator ....makes it a lot easier don't you think?

Hey Jim. This play with Thaksin has zero to do with being a ruthless dictator. 

(something i sideways acknowledged in my very last sentence)

 

Whether easier or not because of that is totally irrelevant to hardball geo politics with your hostile nieighbour. It's a "look over there" argument.

 

As a hardcore progressivist i don't make the mistake of conflation about these things. It is one of ways we liberals neuter ourselves. "Dictator! Dictator!" changes nothing. We have to be hardcore hardball realpoliticists - dare i say it - like that f##ker Hun Sen. (ps, good discussion, J, thanks)

[thesetat]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin explained that his daughter was unaware the conversation would be recorded, alleging that Hun Sen had orchestrated a meeting under false pretenses. Accompanied by senior officials, including Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai, they waited for a call from Hun Sen at a Bangkok hotel. After several hours without contact, they began to suspect foul play, only for Hun Sen to later make a private call to Paetongtarn.

Does any of this really matter? The fact remains the words she used and the content were inappropriate for the leader of a nation to be saying. Regardless of the call being set up or not. She <deleted> up and now must face the populations scrutiny as well as the military. Thaksin and his daughter both are trying to focus on the call should not have been recorded and released rather than addressing the issue of the content of the call.. Laying blame on Hun Sen instead. 

[NoMoonLogistics]

Ok, fine to the laughers. 

 

Same poeple who havn't won a war in 75 years because they never learn a thing. Carry on.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

Does any of this really matter? The fact remains the words she used and the content were inappropriate for the leader of a nation to be saying. Regardless of the call being set up or not. She <deleted> up and now must face the populations scrutiny as well as the military. Thaksin and his daughter both are trying to focus on the call should not have been recorded and released rather than addressing the issue of the content of the call.. Laying blame on Hun Sen instead. 

 

Why do you suggest that the military has a dog in this geopolitical fight? When the Profumo Affair broke, the British military weren't party to the investigation and prosecution. By saying the military needs to scrutinise this, along with the people (fat chance of the latter ever being listened to), aren't you just pandering to the loyalist, royalist camp?

[spidermike007]

With my extreme lack of judgment I decided to be friends with a genocidal former Pol Pot leader, who is a lying, serial killing thug, that has stolen billions of dollars from his people.

 

Geez, what was I thinking? And I thought I was a smart man, and I thought it was giving good advice to my daughter. I guess I now deserve to be banished along with the rest of my family. 

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

And I hope he does. It’ll likely be that thing that cannot be mentioned. 

 

The problem is with Thailand's LM laws. Regardless of what Hun Sen says, it's not going to get any mainstream or social media bandwidth legally here, where it probably matters.

 

Catch yee-sihp song?

[Jim Blue]

3 hours ago, NoMoonLogistics said:

Hey Jim. This play with Thaksin has zero to do with being a ruthless dictator. 

(something i sideways acknowledged in my very last sentence)

 

Whether easier or not because of that is totally irrelevant to hardball geo politics with your hostile nieighbour. It's a "look over there" argument.

 

As a hardcore progressivist i don't make the mistake of conflation about these things. It is one of ways we liberals neuter ourselves. "Dictator! Dictator!" changes nothing. We have to be hardcore hardball realpoliticists - dare i say it - like that f##ker Hun Sen. (ps, good discussion, J, thanks)

Thanks Moon I  never came across a harcore progressivist before ! You have a nice day 

[connda]

Thaksin Ends Friendship with Hun Sen Over Daughter's Scandal

 

Sure. Of course. You bet! 

[unblocktheplanet]

Still a molehill. The PM who is young should address the elder statesman/Khmer Rouge/dictator and fellow PM as 'uncle'. That's just called being polite.

 

What exactly did the conversation say that would promise Thailand's capitulation. Regardless, all such leadership conversations should be recorded.

 

Of course, the military always gets its thongs in a twist. It's those tight uniforms! Probably not quite enough for a coup. Maybe just torture a few more conscripts.

[Will B Good]

Hun Sen on hearing the news.

[John Drake]

Did he unfriend Hun Sen on Facebook?

[greeneking]

On 7/11/2025 at 7:53 AM, thesetat said:

Does any of this really matter? The fact remains the words she used and the content were inappropriate for the leader of a nation to be saying. Regardless of the call being set up or not. She <deleted> up and now must face the populations scrutiny as well as the military. Thaksin and his daughter both are trying to focus on the call should not have been recorded and released rather than addressing the issue of the content of the call.. Laying blame on Hun Sen instead. 

If the top people of two countries can not talk together without it becoming tomorrow's headlines nothing will get done.

Of course they will both have ideas and information which are not yet for the general public.

[Zibi]

Friendship ended 🙂