Key Facts
• June 26, 2025: Hun Sen delivers speech in Preah Vihear Province amid border tensions.
• Warns Thaksin Shinawatra’s family of revealing secrets, including alleged royal insults.
• Cites betrayal by Thaksin’s family for worsening Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.
• 2009: Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as economic advisor during his exile.
• February 2024: Thaksin returned to Thailand after 15 years, later released on parole.
• May 2025: Border clash kills one Cambodian soldier, straining bilateral relations.
• Audio leak of Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, criticizing Thai military worsens tensions.
• Paetongtarn forced to apologize to military and citizens, later criticized Hun Sen.
• Cambodia-Thailand relations deteriorate over Preah Vihear border dispute.
Summary
Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly severed ties with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, warning of revealing sensitive information, including alleged insults to the Thai monarchy. Speaking on June 26, 2025, in Preah Vihear Province, Hun Sen accused Thaksin’s family of betraying Cambodia and exacerbating the ongoing border conflict. The two leaders, once close allies, had a history of cooperation, with Hun Sen appointing Thaksin as an economic advisor in 2009 during his exile. However, relations soured following a May 2025 border clash that killed a Cambodian soldier. An audio leak of Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, criticizing Thai military officials further escalated tensions, forcing her to apologize and later criticize Hun Sen. The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute over the Preah Vihear region remains a significant source of conflict.
