Hun Sen accuses Thaksin of giving him secret Thai govt documents
Synopsis: Cambodia’s Senate President calls his former ally a traitor, intensifying a bitter feud rooted in unresolved territorial disputes and a broken friendship.
By Pengly Horng
The feud between the political dynasties of Cambodia and Thailand, triggered by a May 28 border skirmish between the two armies, continued to heat up, with Senate President Hun Sen stating that his former ally Thaksin Shinawatra had committed high treason by sending him classified national documents.
Speaking before a Senate meeting on Monday, Mr Hun Sen revealed that Thaksin had “secretly” provided him with classified documents when Abhisit Vejjajiva was head of the Thai government, calling the act “treason”.
Abhisit was the Thai prime minister from 2008 to 2011.
“Without Hun Sen, you wouldn’t have been able to return to your country, nor would you have been able to come to the ASEAN region. But you (have forced me) to reveal that you personally sent me Vejjajiva’s documents,” he said.
“Thaksin, you committed treason against Thailand. I have the documents. I could speak about this for three to four hours.”
He said the Cambodian government in 2010 rejected Thailand’s loan offer for the construction of National Road 68 because Thaksin had sent him a document that informed him that the Thai government would freeze the funding.
“(At that time) Vejjajiva phoned me and asked me why I rejected the money, and I told him that I have received clear information that you are going to freeze the funding (to use as a bargaining chip to negotiate border issues with Cambodia),’” he said.
“Where did I receive such a document? It was Thaksin who gave it to me!”
He sarcastically asked Thaksin not to be mad with him because it was his daughter. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who had insulted the Cambodian leaders first.
Paetongtarn was suspended from the office of Thai Prime Minister earlier this month following a leaked conversation between her and Mr Hun Sen.
“The Nikkei newspaper speculated on why Hun Sen did that. In the end, Nikkei made a conclusion that was correct — that Hun Sen acted that way because he wanted to resolve the unresolved border issues while he was still in power.
That’s right. I want to resolve that issue,” said the Senate President, referring to himself in the third person.
He said he does not want war between Cambodia and Thailand, which was why he supported the Cambodian government’s decision to file its decade-long dispute with Thailand over the Mom Bei area and the Ta Moan Temple Complex, which includes the Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei Temples, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
However, Cambodia is ready to go to war if that is what it takes to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty, particularly if Thailand blocks access to the Ta Moan Temple Complex, he said.
“In recent days, there’s talk about building a fence around the Ta Moan Thom temple — go ahead and try. Threatening to seize Battambang, Siem Reap, and even advance into Phnom Penh — give it a try. If you dare go that far in this era, do you think the Khmer are that weak? This is the era of the Techo leadership,” he said, echoing the words of Prime Minister Hun Manet last month.
The 30-year friendship between Mr Hun Sen and Thaksin, both former prime ministers of their respective countries, came to an acrimonious end after a phone conversation between Mr Hun Sen and then Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn was leaked.
The audio clip, in which Paetongtarn is heard pleading with Mr Hun Sen to de-escalate border tensions while criticising the Thai army, caused political chaos in Thailand, leading to her suspension from office. The Senate President later blasted the Shinawatra family and even threatened to disclose how Thaksin has insulted the Thai King in the past.
Speaking in an interview on Thai TV last week, Thaksin expressed regret over his friendship with Mr Hun Sen.
“When things end, they end,” he said.
Thaksin said he had contacted Khlaing Huot, Mr Hun Sen’s adviser and interpreter, and “demanded” Cambodia withdraw troops from the border.
“I want to emphasise that we have not yet reached the point of declaring war as we can still resolve this through the JBC (Joint Border Commission) talks,” he said. “Today, there’s no need to worry. There won’t be any war. There’s no fighting. Right now, it’s just a matter of each side trying to outdo the other. Whoever dives better wins.”
In response, in a social media statement on Sunday, Mr Hun Sen said Thaksin was referring to the land border closure and that the side that could hold out the longest would win.
“If that’s the case, then the mastermind behind the closure is none other than Thaksin himself. Cambodia is committed to playing this game regardless of how long it takes,” he wrote. “The real concern is whether those urging this game will collapse before the game itself ends.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai urged the public not to be swayed by Mr Hun Sen’s remarks.
“Do you still believe in Hun Sen? One day he says something is true; the next day he says it isn’t. He keeps changing (his words),” Phumtham.
“Do you still believe he has good intentions for our country? We must consider his credibility. We shouldn’t get shaken or excited by what he says.”
Pou Sothirak, Distinguished Senior Advisor at the Cambodia Centre for Regional Studies, said everything Mr Hun Sen has done is to protect the national interests of Cambodia.
“It is a high level of politics,” he said. “I would trust to act for the best of Cambodia.”
Asian Vision Institute President Chheng Kimlong said Thaksin, like his daughter, crossed the line first.
“He (Thaksin) is not holding any position within the Thai government,” he said. “Thus, he does not have any legitimacy to demand that Cambodia withdraws its troops.”
“Meanwhile, both politicians cannot trust each other anymore. It is the complete end of their relationship,” Kimlong added.
The cost of Thailand’s lack of policy and leadership (Part 1) - Khmer Times
Pengly Horng
6–7 minutes
Thailand’s reckless policies toward its neighbours and lack of clear leadership have severely strained its international standing and relations with the countries with which it shares a border.
This two-part series examines the consequences for previously good neighbourly relations caused by Thailand’s domestic political complications, most notably the lack of clear policies and leadership.
Cambodia has no interest in meddling in Thailand’s internal affairs
This article does not seek to express interest in Thailand’s domestic affairs and sovereign decision to choose its leader.
Previously, when Cambodia was accused of meddling, it was rather puzzling. Such a narrative seems to suggest that Cambodia is so powerful and influential that it can change the Thai prime minister at will, but this is not the case.
It is fully within Thailand’s purview to choose and topple its prime minister. The Thai constitutional court did not decide to remove the Tha prime minister on the instructions of Samdech Techo Hun Sen. Rather, it was because of the former Thai prime minister’s incapability to govern the country.
Cambodia knows best what foreign interference means. One only needs to grab a Cambodian history book to find out that its history is filled with foreign invasions, occupations and interferences.
Foreign invasions and occupations do not constitute ownership rights.
All civilised nations should teach history that differentiates between the past glory of imperialism, militarism, and expansionism and the current rules-based international order, in which territorial sovereignty is decided on the basis of international law, not force.
Given its unfortunate history, Cambodia is more inclined to adopt a defensive rather than an offensive mentality. It does not seek to revive the past glory of the Khmer Empire, which dates back to long before the creation of Siam. Such a historical debate and attempt to revive former glory, aimed at revising existing borders would create chaos and prevent every nation from living in peace.
Cambodia does not need to be lectured about domestic interference because Cambodia has been living with it, even until today.
No country in all of Southeast Asia has had its domestic politics as over-internationalised as Cambodia.
When foreign diplomats arrive daily to discuss and give instructions on how to run your government, that is called domestic interference.
When Cambodians who have dual nationalities, never set foot in Cambodia, and never paid taxes to the Cambodian government but to foreign tax coffers feel they have an inherent right to have a say in Cambodian politics and pass laws that restrict Cambodia’s right to self-determination, that is called internal interference.
In Cambodian history books, it is not difficult to identify instances where Cambodia was not even allowed to decide its own destiny. There have been countless such occasions.
It is true that Thailand’s domestic politics is not a matter that should concern Cambodia, but when Thailand’s domestic complications have degenerated into dangerous ultra-nationalism and militarism that aim to harm Cambodia’s sovereignty, security, and a formerly excellent bilateral friendship, Cambodia has every right to be concerned.
Cambodia’s peace is supported by peaceful borders created based on friendship, cultural linkages, trade, political trust, and a lasting and stable border based on international law.
Cambodia has had no choice but to refer its disputes with Thailand over the Mom Bei area and the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei to the International Court of Justice as bilateral mechanisms to resolve the border disputes have been exhausted. These four areas are considered the most dangerous flashpoints along the more than 800-kilometere bilateral border with Thailand. Ten years without progress demonstrate a blatant lack of commitment to the peaceful resolution of the disputes.
Except for the four areas mentioned above, Cambodia still relies on bilateral mechanisms to resolve border issues with Thailand, but the latter should demonstrate sincerity, consistency, and a clear line of command to ensure that negotiations can be conducted on the basis of international law and practices.
It is painful to see that the bilateral negotiations with Thailand have gone nowhere for more than 10 years due to Thailand’s domestic political complications, while Cambodia has completed almost 90% of boundary demarcation and marker-planting work with Laos and Vietnam.
For now, Cambodia has no confidence in bilateral mechanisms because Thailand has not shown the commitment to peace that Vietnam and Laos have. And with the Thai leadership vacuum, Cambodia fears that any agreement reached today will be forgotten the next.
The Thai government and the Thai military do not speak the same language.
Thailand’s two-faced approach has undermined trust and the negotiation process.
Thailand’s political confusion must be managed by the Thai people, not misused to provoke border conflicts with its neighbours. The fact that the Thai constitutional court unanimously agreed to consider the petition against the Thai prime minister constitutes an official declaration acknowledging the country’s internal confusion.
Thailand should stop exporting its internal confusion to its neighbours. Cambodia has its own domestic problems and development to address.
All of Cambodia’s actions were acts of self-defence and a reaction to Thailand’s unilateral and irresponsible policies born out of a lack of clear leadership.
The author is a Phnom Penh based geopolitical commentator. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
Mandatory conscription law will be fairly enforced
By Hang Punreay (Khmer Times)
The Ministry of National Defence has urged the public not to be concerned over the government’s plan to enforce the Military Conscription Law in 2026, assuring them that the policy will be applied fairly and responsibly across all sectors of society.
Ministry spokesman General Chhum Sucheat told Khmer Times yesterday that upcoming revisions to the 2006 conscription law will be carefully reviewed and consulted upon to ensure that its implementation is effective and in line with national priorities.
He was responding to online comments that the new law may be only enforced on the poor and not on the rich and well connected.
“There is no need to worry,” Gen Sucheat said. “This is not about sending only the children of the poor to serve. The military service law will apply equally to all young Cambodians, and everything will be done according to the law.”
He added that the ministry will soon organise a meeting to examine each article of the existing law, which was first enacted in 2006 but has not yet been enforced. The goal, he said, is to make the conscription process more effective and transparent.
Gen Sucheat stressed that the upcoming enforcement of the law in 2026 has nothing to do with any potential armed conflict, including recent tensions along the Cambodian-Thai border.
“This is not a response to war or any border issue,” he explained. “It’s about instilling courage, discipline, patriotism, and national pride among our youth –values that will help them become strong, responsible citizens.”
According to the spokesman, the response from the public so far has been positive, with many young people volunteering to fulfil their national duty following Prime Minister Mr Hun Manet’s announcement on the matter.
“The fact that many youths are stepping up on their own shows that Cambodians are ready to serve their country—not out of fear, but from love and commitment,” he said.
Gen Sucheat said conscription is not meant to create hardship but to build a generation capable of defending the nation’s sovereignty and contributing positively to society.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “This is about unity, equality, and national strength – not division or burden.”
On Monday, Mr Hun Manet announced that Cambodia’s longstanding military conscription law—adopted nearly 20 years ago but never enforced—will come into effect in 2026. Every Cambodian citizen of both sexes aged between 18 and 30 must fulfil military service as so prescribed by this law.
However, for women conscription will be on a voluntary basis.
The premier said that the decision is part of the government’s reform to ensure the country is well-prepared and adequately staffed for defence needs. Mr Hun Manet noted the law would require amendments before implementation, particularly extending the period of compulsory service from 18 to 24 months – aligning with practices in many other countries. He explained that 18 months is too short for effective training and mobilisation.
Following the announcement, Cambodians have taken to social media to show their support for enforcement. However, many others – especially those in the required age group – expressed their concern about the unprecedented implementation of the laws.
Peng Hak, 23, said mandatory military service is not inherently bad, but for those from poor families, it would be difficult to help generate income for their households. Therefore, conscription for men should also be voluntary, which would be more beneficial.
The young man added that forced military training would not achieve the intended success, unlike voluntary participation.
“I don’t want to join military training,” he said, “because I need to earn an income to support my family. It’s not that I don’t care about the country. I love it and want to defend it. But both men and women should have equal rights to choose whether to train or not.”
Huen Chhavorn expressed discontent with the conscription announcement, fearing that being compelled to join the military would deprive him of time to earn money for his family, continue his education, and help with household responsibilities, especially with younger siblings still dependent.
The 26-year-old said, “Wealthy families may not have a problem, but poor ones like mine, with debts at the bank, will suffer. Even if the training lasts 18 to 20 months, it takes away a vital period during which I could support my family. I’m the only son and breadwinner. So what should I do? If I’m the son, husband, and sole pillar of the family, who will they rely on when I’m gone?”
He added, “Who will pay off the debts? Who will provide daily necessities? The elders are ageing – who can they rely on? What about my wife and kids? How will they live? And my younger siblings who are still in school – who will help them achieve their dreams?”
According to the Law on Compulsory Military Service, the number of citizens and requirements for military service in each annual course shall be determined by the sub-decree at the request of the Ministry of National Defence.
It says all Cambodian citizens who have reached the military age must go to register in the “compulsory military census”. Registration and entry into military service must be made through the local authority.
“A soldier who has finished his or her military obligation is allowed to return to his or her civic life but must stay in the reserved military framework. This soldier may continue his or her soldier career as deemed necessary by the Ministry of National Defence and on a voluntary basis,” it reads.
“While being a reserved soldier, the person is called upon any time to fulfil the duty in the army in all forms as required by the country and the circumstances.”
The postponement of the invitation to enter military service in Cambodia must follow specific procedures. Citizens who are employed in public or private enterprises and are performing specialised work may apply for a postponement once a year, but the total duration of such postponements cannot exceed three years.
Additionally, citizens who are involved in criminal cases under court jurisdiction or under investigation by the authorities are also eligible for postponement. Specific conditions for deferring military service for youths who are still studying, as well as for individuals in special circumstances, will be outlined in a forthcoming sub-decree.
Permission to be exempted from military obligation in Cambodia is granted under specific conditions. Citizens who have completed their military service contract are automatically relieved of further duty. Exemption is also extended to specialists who have conducted research missions or have been directly involved in public affairs that benefit the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for a period equivalent to the required 18 months of military service.
Also, monks and laypeople of other religions officially recognised by the Ministry of Cults and Religions are exempt. Citizens with physical impairments are also eligible for exemption, provided they are examined and confirmed by a health commission during recruitment.
Goods from Vietnam replacing Thai products in Cambodia
By Bangkok Post
Cambodian retailers in Koh Kong, a province bordering eastern Thailand, are turning to imports from Vietnam to fill shelves left empty by the ban on border trade with Thailand.
Pornchai Limploypitat, a Thai trader who supplies staples to the Cambodian province, said his customers in Koh Kong were now selling consumer goods from Vietnam because of the shortage of Thai goods including snacks, instant noodles and construction materials.
Vietnamese products were not as popular as Thai imports, but goods from Thailand had disappeared from Koh Kong markets, Mr Pornchai said. He now works as chief receptionist at Koh Koh Resort.
Thailand banned the export of goods to Cambodia when the dispute over four contested areas of the border flared afresh after a brief exchange of gunfire between soldiers at Chong Bok in Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani province in May.
Thailand has also shortened opening hours at international crossings to 8am to 4pm, instead of 6am to 10pm, since June 24.
Thai exports to Koh Kong are mostly shipped through the checkpoint at Hat Lek in Khlong Yai district of Trat. Two-way trade there in fiscal 2024 was almost 30 million baht, with 23 million baht in favour of Thailand, according to Khlong Yai Customs House.
Top export items from Thailand were soft drinks, milk, supplements and sugar, while seafood led imports from Cambodia.
Another supplier, Somchai Kimsoi, deputy chief of tambon Hat Lek, said he had recieved no orders for goods from Cambodian traders since the cross-border ban was enforced.
The border spat also dampened tourism, with few visitors to the Thai border market.
"Hat Lek market once had more than 100 shops, with Cambodians from Koh Kong selling goods to tourists from Thailand. Now, 90% of them are closed," he said.
Their concerns were in line with a report in the Khmer Times saying Vietnamese companies were taking the opportunity to expand their market share in Cambodia.
"In the past two weeks, Vietnamese brands have substantially increased their market presence, from biscuits to milk and chocolates to noodles," the Cambodian media outlet said on Monday, quoting an unnamed manager of a leading retail outlet.