Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen has voiced frustration over what he described as relentless demands for cash, revealing he received nearly 20 messages in a single day asking for financial help.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the veteran politician said requests ranged from family hardships to pleas for houses, cars and motorcycles. Some were vague, he noted, but clearly implied expensive items. Four individuals alone asked for “tens of thousands of dollars” for tuition, vehicles and property.

Hun Sen, who stepped down in 2023 after nearly four decades in power, remains president of the Senate and a dominant figure in Cambodian politics. He acknowledged the strain of constant appeals, saying it was not only the financial demands but the intrusion on his time that left him unhappy.

The former leader, often photographed wearing luxury watches, insisted he had “very little contact” with his son Hun Manet, who succeeded him as prime minister and is “extremely busy”. His comments appeared aimed at distancing himself from any suggestion of influence over the current government.

Hun Sen was Asia’s longest‑serving leader when he resigned, having crushed opposition and consolidated power. His son has continued that strategy, according to rights monitors. The elder statesman’s latest remarks highlight the enduring expectations placed on Cambodia’s political elite, even after leaving office.

-2026-09-24

With four daughters, I can wholeheartedly sympathise............ I know exactly what he's facing