Thai-Cambodian relations ‘unaffected’ by Thaksin’s visit

Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, opined that the gathering was purely about personal relationships and that the event had nothing to do with political manoeuvring or strategy.

“If we talk about the private relationship between Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thaksin family, the relationship between these two families is like that of siblings. It began in 1992 before Thaksin had become prime minister of Thailand,” said Phea.

“We have not seen a decline in the relationship between Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thaksin family, and it remains steadfast. Although the Thaksin family encountered political turmoil, Prime Minister Hun Sen never let this affect the relationship,” he added.

Phea also emphasised that both Hun Sen and Thaksin avoided making political statements during the gathering.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen…