Latest news with #HunSen
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Hun Sen calls Thaksin out, reveals historic role in Thai politics
Hun Sen (above) said former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called Cambodia's leader "immoral" a few days ago. -- PHOTO: AFP PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Hun Sen said he is not interested in speaking with former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, after the latter told Thai media that he has stopped communicating with the former Cambodian premier. 'I want to tell Thaksin that it should be me who should not want to talk to you, ever since your daughter was arrogant and looked down on me. "Moreover, I have no interest in speaking with someone who has been convicted and is preparing to face additional charges. So, do not think too highly of yourself – talking to you only brings me trouble!' Hun Sen wrote in a Facebook post on July 20. On July 19, Thaksin declared that he was determined to stop communicating with Hun Sen, citing fears of his conversations being secretly recorded. He also urged the Thai authorities to complain to the UN regarding a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers earlier that week, according to Thai media outlet Khaosod English. 'From my observation, since Thaksin became involved in Thai politics, Thailand has been in great turmoil, starting before the 2006 coup. "I also do not want to bring up the severe insults you directed at the Thai monarchy – those words were too vile for me to repeat, as they would only tarnish the dignity of the Thai King. But you acknowledge that they are true,' Hun Sen added. He added that a few days ago, Thaksin called Cambodia's leader 'immoral', an insult as grave as the one made by Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who referred to the Cambodian leadership as 'unprofessional', sparking anger among the Cambodian public. 'I want to ask you if I lack morality, why did you rely on me for 19 years, from 2006 to 2025, constantly listening to my advice and even calling me 'Leader Number One'? Do you remember the formation of the Pheu Thai Party to contest the 2011 elections? "Apart from some ideas, there was a theory: 'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts'. That was my theory, Hun Sen's theory, which I shouldn't have to remind you of,' he added. He also revealed that Thaksin was the mastermind behind the Pheu Thai Party and that the betrayal of the Bhumjaithai Party was Thaksin's idea, not that of his daughter, who is currently suspended from her role as Thai prime minister. -- THE PHNOM PENH POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Japan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute
Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new land mines on the Thai side of the shared border, in an escalation of a bitter territorial dispute between the two countries. Three Thai soldiers were injured when they stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol along an established route within Thai territory on July 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Sunday. The mines were not of a type used by Thailand and were recently laid in a "blatant violation of international law,' it said. "The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry said, adding that it planned to take action against Cambodia under the United Nations' Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as a state party while pursuing bilateral channels to resolve the ongoing dispute. "Thailand calls on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers.' A spokesperson for the Cambodian government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The border dispute between the two countries has blown up into a major point of contention, especially since a May 28 exchange of gunfire that killed a Cambodian soldier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra subsequently sought to calm tensions in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, but the conversation was leaked, triggering an uproar at home and the Thai leader's suspension as premier by a court. The foreign ministry's statement on the mines represents some of its strongest language towards Cambodia since the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe into her handling of the dispute. The mines were found in Chong Bok, site of the May exchange of fire. Thai officials said that incident occurred because Cambodian soldiers were digging a trench in the border area and opened fire on Thai soldiers, while Cambodia said its troops have long been stationed there and blamed the Thai side for shooting first. Both countries have a history of clashes over land disputes but have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead. But since May, both sides have massed troops along the frontier and limited land crossings that act as vital trade links. Cambodia has said it wants the International Court of Justice in the Hague to help settle the disputed status of Chong Bok and three other disputed border areas. Thailand doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction.
Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Times
Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute
[BANGKOK] Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new land mines on the Thai side of the shared border, in an escalation of a bitter territorial dispute between the two countries. Three Thai soldiers were injured when they stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol along an established route within Thai territory on Jul 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late on Sunday (Jul 30). The mines were not of a type used by Thailand and were recently laid in a 'blatant violation of international law,' it said. 'The Royal Thai government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry said, adding that it planned to take action against Cambodia under the United Nations' Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as a state party while pursuing bilateral channels to resolve the ongoing dispute. 'Thailand calls on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers.' A spokesperson for the Cambodian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The border dispute between the two countries has blown up into a major point of contention, especially since a May 28 exchange of gunfire which killed a Cambodian soldier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra subsequently sought to calm tensions in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, but the conversation was leaked, triggering an uproar at home and the Thai leader's suspension as premier by a court. The foreign ministry's statement on the mines represents some of its strongest language towards Cambodia since the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe into her handling of the dispute. The mines were found in Chong Bok, site of the May exchange of fire. Thai officials said that incident occurred because Cambodian soldiers were digging a trench in the border area and opened fire on Thai soldiers, while Cambodia said its troops have long been stationed there and blamed the Thai side for shooting first. Both countries have a history of clashes over land disputes but have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead. But since May, both sides have massed troops along the frontier and limited land crossings that act as vital trade links. Cambodia has said it wants the International Court of Justice in the Hague to help settle the disputed status of Chong Bok and three other disputed border areas. Thailand does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. BLOOMBERG
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Rift between Cambodia, Thailand deepens over landmine blast as ex-leaders Hun Sen, Thaksin trade barbs
SINGAPORE: The rift between Thailand and Cambodia has deepened after the Thai government on Sunday (Jul 20) condemned its neighbour for allegedly laying anti-personnel landmines along their shared border that resulted in three Thai soldiers being injured in a blast last week. This comes even as the former leaders of the two countries continue a squabbling match, with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen saying that he has no desire to communicate with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The two were once seen as close allies when they were in power. But the latest salvo by Hun Sen on Sunday appeared to take a jibe at the legal troubles facing Thaksin after the latter over the weekend told Thai media that he has stopped communicating with his former ally. In a Facebook post, Hun Sen said that it should be him who stopped communicating with Thaksin after the latter's daughter 'was arrogant and looked down on me', referring to former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. 'Moreover, I have no interest in speaking with someone who has been convicted and is preparing to face additional charges. So, don't think too highly of yourself - talking to you only brings me trouble!' Hun Sen wrote, as reported by Thai news outlet The Nation. Thaksin had earlier on Saturday told Thai media that he was determined to stop communicating with Hun Sen, citing fears that his conversations were being secretly recorded. The former Cambodian leader also criticised Thaksin for calling him 'immoral' earlier. 'I want to ask you, if I lack morality, why did you rely on me for 19 years, from 2006 to 2025, constantly listening to my advice and even calling me 'Leader Number One'?' Hun Sen said. He also said that since Thaksin became involved in Thai politics, 'Thailand has been in great turmoil', adding that he did not want to bring up 'vile' insults Thaksin allegedly made against the Thai monarchy. Thaksin was twice elected as Thailand's prime minister, but he was toppled in a military coup in 2006. He fled in 2008 to avoid a jail sentence for corruption that he claimed was politically motivated and returned to Thailand in August 2023. And just last week, Thaksin testified in court seeking to defend himself against royal defamation charges in a watershed case for his faltering political dynasty. His daughter, Paetongtarn, is also facing political struggles of her own after being suspended as prime minister following a leaked phone call between her and Hun Sen after a row over border territory. THREE THAI SOLDIERS INJURED IN LATEST INCIDENT On the issue of border skirmishes, the Thai foreign ministry on Sunday said that the landmines were a serious violation of international law and an infringement of Thai sovereignty. The statement by foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura came after three Thai soldiers were injured following a blast near the Chong Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani province on Jul 16, The Nation reported. It added inspections by Thai authorities found that the landmines used in the incident were newly planted and not part of Thailand's arsenal or inventory. 'The Thai government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel landmines. Such actions violate Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity and are in direct contravention of the fundamental principles of international law as stated in the United Nations Charter,' Nikorndej was quoted as saying by The Nation. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported that the Thai military has begun mine-clearing operations in the Chong Bok border area, also known as Mom Bei in Cambodia. Combat engineers from the Suranaree Task Force – a unit of the Royal Thai Army that is responsible for border security and operations along the Thai-Cambodian border – carried out operations from Sunday morning in response to a report that about 100 landmines were found there after Cambodian soldiers had retreated. The landmine blast on Jul 16 saw three Thai soldiers injured, including one who lost a foot. It is the latest incident after Cambodian and Thai armies on May 28 exchanged fire near Mom Bei - also known as the Emerald Triangle - that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute
BANGKOK: Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new land mines on the Thai side of the shared border, in an escalation of a bitter territorial dispute between the two countries. Three Thai soldiers were injured when they stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol along an established route within Thai territory on July 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Sunday (July 20) The mines were not of a type used by Thailand and were recently laid in a "blatant violation of international law,' it said. "The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry said, adding that it planned to take action against Cambodia under the United Nations' Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as a state party while pursuing bilateral channels to resolve the ongoing dispute. "Thailand calls on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers.' A spokesperson for the Cambodian government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The border dispute between the two countries has blown up into a major point of contention, especially since a May 28 exchange of gunfire which killed a Cambodian soldier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra subsequently sought to calm tensions in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, but the conversation was leaked, triggering an uproar at home and the Thai leader's suspension as premier by a court. The foreign ministry's statement on the mines represents some of its strongest language towards Cambodia since the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe into her handling of the dispute. The mines were found in Chong Bok, site of the May exchange of fire. Thai officials said that incident occurred because Cambodian soldiers were digging a trench in the border area and opened fire on Thai soldiers, while Cambodia said its troops have long been stationed there and blamed the Thai side for shooting first. Both countries have a history of clashes over land disputes but have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead. But since May, both sides have massed troops along the frontier and limited land crossings that act as vital trade links. Cambodia has said it wants the International Court of Justice in the Hague to help settle the disputed status of Chong Bok and three other disputed border areas. Thailand doesn't recognise the court's jurisdiction. - Bloomberg
