BANGKOK, Thailand – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra revealed on Wednesday that his long-standing relationship with Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen has now been severed, following the leaked audio involving his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thaksin believes the call was secretly recorded and intentionally leaked, calling it deeply hurtful and saying, “How could he do that?”
Speaking emotionally during an interview at Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Thaksin recounted the breakdown:
“We used to be close… but to do this to my daughter — it’s heartbreaking. I was shocked something like this could even happen.”
He explained that Paetongtarn had contacted him to say she was going to the Rosewood Hotel to meet with Mr. Huot, a Cambodian intermediary, who said he would connect her with Hun Sen. She was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Dr. Phumin Leelapattanapong. The group waited nearly three hours before being told Hun Sen was “asleep.” Eventually, Thaksin told them to leave. But shortly afterward, Hun Sen personally called his private number.
“I had doubts. Maybe he wasn’t asleep — maybe he planned to record the conversation. I suspect he knew our defense and foreign ministers were with her. Honestly, it hurt that he could do this,” Thaksin said.
The former PM added that they had intended to speak in good faith. “But when he later came out attacking us… well, it’s over. I just kept asking myself: ‘What the hell happened?’ Maybe I stepped on someone’s toes.”
Thaksin also described his outrage after reports that Cambodia deployed over 10,000 troops to the border. “I called Huot and said, ‘Tell your boss. I don’t want to say it myself — I might lose my temper. But listen, our children are leading both countries. Are we going to go to war now?’”
He likened the current events to “Operation Poipet” in the past when nationalistic fervor was used to create a political climate — even though at that time, Thaksin and Hun Sen were friends. “Still, country comes first.”
As for the now-infamous pink bedroom shown in a Cambodian media release — allegedly used by Thaksin and his sister Yingluck while in exile — Thaksin admitted the room was real, but joked, “The pink décor? Definitely not my taste.”
When asked whether Hun Sen’s actions might have been motivated by falling political popularity or other undisclosed reasons, Thaksin replied:
“He didn’t just hurt us — he discredited himself. No one wants to engage with someone they can’t trust. You don’t know if he’s secretly recording. That kind of behavior isolates you.”
He further speculated that his prior comments exposing Cambodian call center scams may have triggered tensions.
“Remember when I was campaigning for the Provincial Administrative Organization chair? I exposed a 25-story building used for running call centers. Thai police found evidence. Now we know how the Cambodian economy was duping Thai citizens. These scams were tied to money laundering and companies like Hui One — blacklisted by the U.S. — owned by Chinese nationals. Hun Sen’s nephew, Hun To, is also a shareholder.”
When asked if Paetongtarn has spoken to Hun Sen since the leaked call, Thaksin replied:
“No. What’s the point? I sent one message: ‘What you did damaged both of us.’ And he never replied.”
On whether the issue could escalate into a border crisis, Thaksin insisted no.
“We’re not at war. Just a border dispute. It can still be resolved through dialogue.”
He recalled angrily confronting the Cambodian side:
“He asked, ‘What do you want me to do?’ I told him, ‘Withdraw your troops.’ He agreed and said he’d allow soldiers at the border to talk, aiming for JBC-level negotiations. But their army had already scheduled border gate closures, and they were furious that despite withdrawing troops, Thailand closed the checkpoint. They were also upset that Paetongtarn posted that their actions were unprofessional.”
Thaksin dismissed any notion that war was imminent:
“No war. Absolutely not. No bloody conflict. Right now, we’re just playing form. It’s like a breath-holding contest — whoever stays underwater longer wins.”
He also addressed reports that Hun Sen allegedly called for Thaksin’s arrest, as he did with Kok An — a former ally.
“I was very close to Hun Sen. Never imagined it would come to this. But when it comes to national matters, I put my country first,” Thaksin said.
Asked whether their 30-year friendship has truly ended, Thaksin replied:
“Seems like we’ve both forgotten each other’s names.”
He hinted at possible Thai political connections to the fallout, citing illicit labor money flows from Thailand into Cambodia involving over 100 million baht and naming a Mr. G. allegedly involved in labor affairs and ministerial consultancy on the Cambodian side.
When asked if this single incident shattered three decades of friendship, Thaksin said:
“I never did anything to make him angry. If he’s upset, it’s over this. I always gave him respect. He used to call me his older brother. If he says I wasn’t really sick, well… let people say what they want.”
Thaksin expressed disappointment that some Thais sided with Cambodia. “It’s strange. Some Thais back the Cambodians. Maybe they should Google ‘King Lovek’ and learn who he was.”
He stressed that Thai-Cambodian negotiations should not involve a third country. As for the current freeze in communication:
“That’s fine. Let’s see who can hold their breath longer. Whoever lasts, wins.”
Asked if the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or Saranrom Palace could help settle the dispute and restore safety, Thaksin responded:
“It’s not a big issue. It’s just been blown up because someone interfered with the role of a Prime Minister.”
He pointed out that his interaction with Hun Sen wasn’t official diplomatic engagement but a personal one — hoping to soften him as an old friend. “Sometimes, business people negotiate either through compromise or confrontation. I chose compromise. We called each other uncle and brother… I never expected betrayal. If this is how it ends, I apologize to the people — I made a mistake trusting someone like that.”
Thaksin concluded:
“Don’t worry — there will be no war. No full-scale conflict. Just two people posturing. We’ll see who can hold their breath longer.”
Regarding criticism of Paetongtarn’s comments, with allegations of serious ethical violations submitted to the Constitutional Court, Thaksin defended her:
“Just because you hold an opposing opinion doesn’t mean you’re unethical. This wasn’t siding with the enemy. We’re not at war. This was unofficial diplomacy. He called us. We prepared to talk formally. He ambushed us.”
