Cambodia’s former strongman Hun Sen has launched a blistering attack on Thailand’s Shinawatra dynasty, exposing a tangled web of political intrigue, leaked phone calls, and shadowy financial dealings that now threaten to destabilise relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

 

At the heart of the storm is Benjamin Mauerberger, a South African-born fixer with alleged ties to both Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra. Dubbed the “Jho Low of Thailand,” Mauerberger is accused of brokering high-stakes deals for Thaksin, including a US$60 million luxury jet and covert investments in African mining and Cambodian assets. His flamboyant lifestyle and murky past—including boiler-room scams and multiple aliases—have made him a lightning rod for scrutiny.

 

The scandal erupted following a leaked phone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen, in which she referred to him as “uncle” and criticised her own military. The leak, reportedly orchestrated by Hun Sen himself, triggered public outrage in Thailand and led to Paetongtarn’s dismissal by the constitutional court. It also fractured the ruling coalition, with the Bhumjaithai Party walking out.

 

Hun Sen, now Senate President, claims betrayal by the Shinawatras and has threatened to reveal damaging secrets. His livestream tirade accused Paetongtarn of deception and Thaksin of undermining Cambodia’s trust. Thai police swiftly retaliated, raiding properties linked to Cambodian casino mogul Kok An and freezing over Bt1 billion in assets.

 

Behind the scenes, Mauerberger’s role appears pivotal. Asia Sentinel reports he attempted to acquire a major stake in Bangchak Corporation—Thailand’s energy giant—on behalf of Thaksin, with plans to flip it to Hun Sen. The deal collapsed after resistance from Thailand’s Social Security Fund, reportedly enraging Hun Sen and fuelling the diplomatic fallout.

 

With Hun Sen’s son Hun Manet now facing allegations of cybercrime involvement, and Thaksin’s wealth under renewed scrutiny, the region finds itself caught in a high-stakes drama where politics, money, and personal vendettas collide.

 

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the fixer may be elusive, but the consequences of his dealings are anything but.

 

 

-2025-09-03

amazing story:
sign up for free and read the story:https://whalehunting.projectbrazen.com/rich-list-the-fixer-the-jet-and-thaksins-shadow-wealth/