Phnom Penh — Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Senate President, has publicly issued a sharp rebuke to The Nation Thailand newspaper, offering what he termed “guidance on journalistic professionalism” after reading several of its articles concerning Cambodia.
In a post on his official Facebook page today, Samdech Techo Hun Sen advised the Thai media outlet to “focus more closely on Thailand’s internal affairs rather than speculating about Cambodia’s political future.”
The former long-serving Prime Minister asserted his deep understanding of domestic Cambodian politics, noting he has been in power since before “some of these Thai journalists were even born or were still walking around naked.” He contrasted this with his perception that some Thai reporters are seemingly “unaware even of the state of their own country’s affairs,” yet still attempt to analyze and critique the Cambodian situation.
Focus on Thai Political Future
Samdech Techo Hun Sen then issued a pointed challenge to the paper, urging them to concentrate their journalistic efforts on their own domestic political situation.
“I would like to tell them to pay close attention to what will unfold after the government reaches four months in office, following the dissolution of parliament and the early elections scheduled for 2026,” he wrote.
He concluded his message by asserting that Cambodia is fully capable of managing its own affairs and dismissed the need to “twist Thai domestic stories into narratives about Cambodia.” He signed off with a traditional Cambodian saying often used to urge caution and restraint: “(If you’re going to play, don’t get angry and if you’re going to get angry, don’t play.)”
The comments come amid heightened border tensions and a period of instability in Cambodia-Thailand relations, where media narratives in both countries have been closely scrutinized.