Phnom Penh — Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has issued a sharp rebuke to Thailand’s ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming a pivotal role in shaping Thai political strategy while dismissing the prospect of further communication between the two.
In a Facebook post on July 20, Hun Sen said it was he — not Thaksin — who no longer wished to speak, citing insults from Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and recent personal attacks. “Do not think too highly of yourself – talking to you only brings me trouble,” he wrote, adding that Thaksin’s criminal convictions and pending charges reinforced his stance.
The exchange follows Thaksin’s comments to Thai media on July 19, where he announced an end to communication with Hun Sen, citing fears of being secretly recorded. Thaksin also urged Thai authorities to raise a recent landmine incident with the UN after Thai soldiers were injured near the border.
Hun Sen accused Thaksin of fueling instability in Thailand since before the 2006 coup and alleged that Thaksin had made disparaging remarks about the Thai monarchy, which Hun Sen refused to repeat publicly. He also criticized Paetongtarn’s description of Cambodia’s leadership as “unprofessional”, calling it a direct insult to the Cambodian public.
The former Cambodian leader claimed that from 2006 to 2025, Thaksin relied heavily on his political counsel, referring to him as “Leader Number One”. He asserted that the “Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts” slogan used ahead of the 2011 Thai elections originated from his own strategic framework.
Hun Sen further alleged that Thaksin masterminded both the formation of the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party’s defection, rejecting suggestions that these moves were the work of Paetongtarn.
The public exchange marks one of the most direct and personal political confrontations between the two veteran figures, potentially adding strain to Cambodia–Thailand relations already under the spotlight following recent border tensions.
