7-8-2023 (PHNOM PENH) The unexpected presence of former Thai prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck in Cambodia on August 5 has set tongues wagging and raised eyebrows. The two were in Phnom Penh to join in celebrating the 72nd birthday of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. A government spokesperson maintained that the event was purely a personal gathering.
Photographs from the celebrations were disseminated by well-connected local media outlet Fresh News and were also shared by Hun Sen himself through his Telegram channel. The images captured Thaksin and Yingluck engaging with Hun Sen’s extended family, including Prime Minister-in-waiting Hun Manet, at the prime minister’s residence in Takhmao town, located just outside the capital, in Kandal province.
In an interview with Fresh News, Hun Sen revealed that Thaksin and Yingluck had spent the night at his residence and even had breakfast together the following morning before departing Cambodia.
This familial gathering provided a rare glimpse into their closely-knit relationship.
The connection between Hun Sen and Thaksin dates back to 1992, when they began regarding each other as “godbrothers.” Their bond has persisted, despite both Thaksin and Yingluck being ousted from power through military coups.
While there appears to be no overt political implications related to this gathering, it occurred against the backdrop of Thailand’s ongoing struggle to appoint a new prime minister, three months after their general election. Media reports also indicated that Thaksin’s planned return to Thailand on August 10 had been cancelled.
Government spokesperson Phay Siphan clarified on August 6 that Thaksin and Yingluck’s attendance at Hun Sen’s birthday celebration was strictly rooted in personal connections. “Prime Minister Hun Sen had already explained this to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and other senior Thai officials,” Siphan stated.
“He requested their understanding of his friendship with both Thaksin and Yingluck, who had already declared themselves ‘god siblings,’ and clarified that this connection had no political implications,” Siphan added.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, offered his perspective that the gathering was indeed centered on personal relationships and was devoid of any political maneuvering or strategy.
“If we consider the private relationship between Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thaksin family, their bond is akin to that of siblings. This relationship predates Thaksin’s tenure as prime minister of Thailand and dates back to 1992,” Phea explained.
“We have not observed a weakening of the relationship between Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thaksin family; it remains steadfast. Despite the political upheavals experienced by the Thaksin family, Prime Minister Hun Sen has remained committed to maintaining this relationship,” Phea emphasized.
He also highlighted that during the gathering, both Hun Sen and Thaksin refrained from making any political statements.
“Prime Minister Hun Sen consistently values bilateral relations with Thai leaders, irrespective of their political affiliation, as long as both sides uphold each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual interests,” Phea noted.
Hence, Phea is of the opinion that the presence of Thaksin and Yingluck will not have any adverse impact on the bilateral relationship between Cambodia and Thailand.
However, Phea did acknowledge the potential political ramifications of the close bond between Hun Sen and Thaksin. He suggested that if the next Thai prime minister emerges from the Pheu Thai Party, which Thaksin wields influence over, it could potentially fortify relations between the two neighboring countries.
A harmonious rapport between the leaders could lead to an increase in trade and more employment opportunities for Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, ultimately benefiting both nations.
Phea concluded by painting an optimistic picture of a friendship that transcends political boundaries and holds the promise of tangible benefits for Cambodia and Thailand.
