Thai ex-PM Thaksin reveals backstory of leaked audio clip between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen
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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra spoke about the leaked call between his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK - Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra shared his insights during an exclusive interview at the 55 Years Nation Exclusive Talk: Breaking Through Thailand’s Crisis Chapter 1 event, aired live on Nation TV on July 9.
The discussion, moderated by three editors-in-chief of the Nation Group, focused on various pressing issues, including a leaked audio clip
Ms Paetongtarn is the youngest of Thaksin’s three children and the third member of the influential Shinawatra clan to become Thailand’s prime minister.
She was suspended from office by the country’s Constitutional Court until it ruled on a petition by a group of senators, who alleged she had violated ethical standards by blaming the Thai army for escalating a border dispute in a leaked phone call with Mr Hun Sen.
The incident could significantly affect the moral standing of Ms Paetongtarn
Addressing the situation, Thaksin explained his past relationship with Mr Hun Sen, describing them as once being like brothers.
However, he expressed shock and disappointment upon learning of what Mr Hun Sen had done to his daughter, referring to the secret recording of the private phone conversation between Mr Hun Sen and Ms Paetongtarn, and its subsequent public release by the Cambodian leader on his Facebook page on June 18
“The situation started when my daughter mentioned that she planned to speak with Hun Sen through Khliang Huot (a close aide of Mr Hun Sen who also acted as an interpreter) and arrange a call with him,” Thaksin shared.
“She invited Defence Minister Phumtham (Wechayachai), Foreign Minister Maris (Sangiampongsa), and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, to join her, as she wasn’t going alone. They waited for three hours, but Hun Sen said he was asleep and even sent a photo to prove it.”
He continued: “I told my daughter to return, and everyone disbanded. However, later, Hun Sen personally called my daughter’s phone. That was really painful. Originally, we had intended to resolve matters through dialogue.”
Reflecting on the deteriorating relationship, Thaksin said: “When things end, they end. I questioned what went wrong. I reviewed everything from Thursday night to Friday morning, and Nation TV reported on troop movements along the border. I was furious. I called Huot and asked, ‘Are we about to go to war?’ I demanded they pull back the troops and settle things through the JBC (Joint Boundary Commission) mechanism.”
Thaksin continued, explaining that while Mr Hun Sen withdrew the troops, the Thai military had planned to close the border.
“Even though Cambodian troops were withdrawn on Sunday, by Monday, we closed the border, which angered him,” he said.
“When Paetongtarn later posted that his actions were unprofessional, Hun Sen became angry. But I want to emphasise that we have not yet reached the point of declaring war, as we can still resolve this through the JBC talks.”
Thaksin recalled a similar incident in 2003, when there was a claim that Thai actress Kob Suwanant had said that Siem Reap belonged to Thailand – remarks that she had never made.
This led to the burning of the Thai embassy in Cambodia.
“I immediately instructed them to protect the embassy and Thai nationals,” he said. “I also ordered the military commander to ensure security. If things weren’t under control by dawn, I would have sent commandos and the (Royal Thai Navy’s) HTMS Chakri Naruebet to assist. That was my approach.
“Today, I don’t know what to say any more. I only sent one message to Hun Sen: ‘What you are doing today is damaging both sides. We were once very close, but I never expected it to turn out like this.’”
Thaksin clarified: “The negotiations that day were with Hun Sen, not with the Prime Minister. But given the situation, I owe the public an apology. I made a mistake in dealing with someone like him (Hun Sen).
“Today, there’s no need to worry. There won’t be any war. There’s no fighting. Right now, it’s just a matter of each side trying to outdo the other. Whoever dives better wins.”
He emphasised that he did not want a third country to mediate, adding: “As I said, if we no longer talk, then what can we do?”
Thaksin also revealed details about Cambodia’s underground businesses, stating: “I don’t know the specifics, but I know there are financial connections from Thailand involving labour going to Cambodia’s labour advisers.
“Some of the funds are transferred back and forth, amounting to over a hundred million.” THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, BLOOMBERG
