Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has issued a sharp rebuke to smugglers and corrupt officials importing Thai goods across closed borders, warning that such actions risk undermining national dignity and economic sovereignty.

 

In a fiery social media post on 8 October, the former prime minister called on the Royal Government and local authorities to crack down on illegal imports from Thailand, arguing that continued reliance on Thai goods could lead Thais to “look down” on Cambodians. “If I were still prime minister, I wouldn’t need to use this kind of language,” he wrote. “I would just issue an order to arrest them or remove them from office.”

 

Hun Sen’s comments come amid growing concern over the use of Thai baht in border areas like Poipet, where residents have reportedly begun exchanging baht for Cambodian riel since 6 October. He praised this shift, calling it a patriotic move that protects Cambodia from economic vulnerability. “Using riel on our own soil avoids losses and prevents it from becoming a national weakness,” he said.

 

He also warned that the Thai baht is already “killing” Khmer workers and businesspeople in Thailand who struggle to access their funds, and could eventually harm those in Cambodia who continue to hold or spend baht. “In the future, the baht will kill Khmer people on Cambodian soil,” he claimed.

 

Hun Sen urged money changers to trade fairly, warning against profiteering through inflated riel rates. He also called on vendors to stop pricing goods in baht, suggesting they use riel or US dollars instead.

 

In a pointed appeal to national pride, he encouraged Cambodians to carry banknotes bearing images of their own leaders rather than those of a neighbouring country “that treats us as enemies, insults us and looks down on us.”

 

The remarks reflect Hun Sen’s continued influence in Cambodian politics and his firm stance on sovereignty, even after stepping down as prime minister earlier this year. His message signals a broader push to reinforce the use of national currency and curb informal cross-border trade, as tensions simmer between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

 

 

-2025-10-09

They use Dollars don't they? With pictures of former US presidents don't they? Do they want pictures of Hun Sen, Pol Pot? 

49 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

They use Dollars don't they? With pictures of former US presidents don't they? Do they want pictures of Hun Sen, Pol Pot? 

 

There are two official currencies in Cambodia the Riel and the US$. (4,000 Riels = I$). All Cambodian Riel banknotes carry the portraits of the previous and current Monarchs, King Norodom Sihanouk and now his son, King Norodom Sihamoni.

 

I live in Cambodia and regularly use Riels for most purchases. Dollars nowadays from ATM's are usually only 100 or 50 $ bills. Lower denominations are rare so change can be a problem if shopping in local markets. Transactions using my debit card are made in US$, also internet banking on my computer. I do not have a smartphone. As a UK citizen, my three GBP pensions are converted to US$ and credited to my Cambodian US$ bank account.

Politicians like people to keep their cash in currency they control. Remember when Argentina made US dollar account holders convert to Pesos then devalued the Peso.

Most of the rich, powerful and smart ones,  stash their cash in a reliable good ole bank in Switzerland...