Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen has emerged as the driving force behind his country’s response to escalating border clashes with Thailand — despite no longer holding the nation’s top job.

 

The 72-year-old, now President of the Senate, was seen this week directing military coordination and dominating public messaging, overshadowing his son and successor, Prime Minister Hun Manet.

 

Photos circulated online showed Hun Sen in military garb, flanked by senior officers, poring over maps and communicating by radio. Within hours of the conflict erupting, he took to Facebook — his platform of choice — to rally public support and issue pointed criticism of Thailand.

 

The five-day flare-up, the worst in over a decade, was triggered after Cambodian artillery reportedly struck civilian areas in Thai border provinces. In an unusually direct accusation, the Thai army blamed the Cambodian leadership — explicitly naming Hun Sen as the orchestrator of the attacks.

 

Hun Sen’s highly visible role has revived questions about where true authority lies in Phnom Penh. Although he stepped down in 2023 after nearly 40 years in power, analysts and diplomats say he continues to steer national policy, particularly in times of crisis.

 

“Wearing the uniform, directing troops, posting constantly — he’s clearly positioning himself as commander-in-chief in all but name,” one diplomat told Reuters.

 

Meanwhile, Hun Manet, a U.S.-trained general, kept a lower profile during the initial days of the standoff, eventually travelling to Malaysia where a ceasefire was brokered. Observers note his measured tone contrasts with his father’s combative style.

 

The simmering border dispute — rooted in decades of territorial ambiguity — turned volatile after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May. Attempts to calm tensions were upended when a private call between Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was leaked, prompting a political storm in Bangkok.

 

Hun Sen later released the full recording and publicly rebuked the Thai premier in a fiery televised address, a move seen by some as deliberate political provocation.

 

Despite stepping aside formally, Hun Sen's grip on power appears undiminished. His front-line leadership in this crisis has triggered a wave of nationalist support at home — and made it clear that Cambodia’s strongman still calls the shots.

 

-2025-08-01

 

 

Mmmm.. like Napoleon..

4 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Mmmm.. like Napoleon..

And Thaksin...

On 8/1/2025 at 9:52 AM, geovalin said:

he continues to steer national policy, particularly in times of crisis.

 Crisis orchestrated by himself🤔 Or am I being too obvious?

6 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Mmmm.. like Napoleon..

You mean just like Thaksin...?

On 8/2/2025 at 12:40 PM, VocalNeal said:

 Crisis orchestrated by himself🤔 Or am I being too obvious?

 With respect, not crises orchestrated by him. He is responding to aggression orchestrated by the Thai military leaders and pro-Thai extreme Nationalists!

No further comment from me.

On 8/5/2025 at 4:07 PM, Burma Bill said:

 With respect, not crises orchestrated by him. He is responding to aggression orchestrated by the Thai military leaders and pro-Thai extreme Nationalists!

No further comment from me.

 

Sounds like someone who shouldn't be in Thailand or have anything to do with Thailand, since you have such a negative view of the country. 

1 hour ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Sounds like someone who shouldn't be in Thailand or have anything to do with Thailand, since you have such a negative view of the country. 

 I am breaking my "no comment" rule to inform you that I lived in Thailand for 20 years during which I was a Thai Tourist Police Volunteer for 9 years. Thailand in those earlier years was a wonderful country to retire to with no hassles over visas.  I enjoyed many happy years with Thai people in Lanna and Isaan, being a country bumpkin and with positive, not negative, views! The most recent coup by Prayut and his Junta saw  the decline of Thailand (IMO) as it became very pro-military and anti-democracy. The banning of the democratically elected Move Forward and Future Forward Parties was to enable the "chosen elite"(ultra right wing nationalists) to keep control of the country. I am sure this will happen soon when Pheu Thai and the Shinawatra's are possibly banned from power. Almost 6 years ago I made an instant decision to cross the border into Cambodia, which I never regretted, and I have continued to live in happy and hassle free  retirement in Siem Reap. I now support the Khmer people and their military, however I am in contact with many Thai friends via social media..

2 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 I am breaking my "no comment" rule to inform you that I lived in Thailand for 20 years during which I was a Thai Tourist Police Volunteer for 9 years. Thailand in those earlier years was a wonderful country to retire to with no hassles over visas.  I enjoyed many happy years with Thai people in Lanna and Isaan, being a country bumpkin and with positive, not negative, views! The most recent coup by Prayut and his Junta saw  the decline of Thailand (IMO) as it became very pro-military and anti-democracy. The banning of the democratically elected Move Forward and Future Forward Parties was to enable the "chosen elite" (dinosaurs) to keep control of the country. I am sure this will happen soon when Pheu Thai and the Shinawatra's are possibly banned from power. Almost 6 years ago I made an instant decision to cross the border into Cambodia, which I never regretted, and I have continued to live in happy and hassle free  retirement in Siem Reap. I now support the Khmer people and their military.

 

Yet you continue to post here and your name is confusing. Why don't you call yourself "Cambodia Bill" or "Siem Reap Bill"? 

 

You do know that Cambodia has an expats forum called "Cambodianexpatsonline"? 

Also, Cambodia is about as "anti-democracy" as you can get. 

funny but over 75% of thai people want the Army back in control>>>

Random rants for Burma Bill
i cant understand in my 36+ years of living in Thailand, why anyone would want to be a thai tourist police..
PLUS,  i lived in Cambodia in 2008/09 and 2021 /22 ( still own a house in Kep) and find thailand far better, safer & cheaper place to live and i live in Phuket!!!  🙂

I do agree thaksin and his whole family should just leave and stay gone

3 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Yet you continue to post here and your name is confusing. Why don't you call yourself "Cambodia Bill" or "Siem Reap Bill"? 

 

You do know that Cambodia has an expats forum called "Cambodianexpatsonline"? 

Also, Cambodia is about as "anti-democracy" as you can get. 

..Or,  Buffalo Bill.........