Supreme Privy Council President Hun Sen today visited his long-time friend former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at his residence in Bangkok, marking an important visit as the first significant guest to visit Thaksin since he was released on parole on February 18 after serving half of a one-year sentence.
Before arriving in Bangkok, Hun Sen posted a photo of himself on a private jet on his Facebook page with a caption stating that he was heading to Bangkok to visit Thaksin and have a meal together.
He arrived at Don Mueang Airport around 11 AM and travelled in a Mercedes Benz to see Thaksin at Ban Chan Song La residence. He spent approximately 2 hours inside before returning to Don Mueang Airport to take a private plane back to Cambodia.
After leaving Thaksin’s home, Hun Sen posted on Facebook again, this time sharing photos taken with Mr. Thaksin and his daughter Ms Paetongtarn. In the photos, Thaksin is seen wearing a blue shirt and a neck brace and an arm sling.
The text accompanying the photos is in Khmer and translates to Thai as: “I came to visit my brother Thaksin in Bangkok. Despite being unwell, he warmly welcomed me. Ung Ing, his youngest daughter and the leader of the Pheu Thai Party was also there to join us.
“To strengthen our close relationship, I invited Ung Ing to visit Cambodia on March 14-15.”
“We, both former prime ministers, did not discuss politics. Instead, we reminisced about our 32-year friendship since 1992. I thank my brother and niece for welcoming me today.”
Ms. Paetongtarn posted on her Instagram story about the Thai desserts, such as coconut balls (Khanon Tom) and fruit shaped mung beans (Luk Chup), prepared to welcome Samdech Hun Sen. As for the lunch menu that Mr. Thaksin prepared for Hun Sen, it was diverse, with one of the dishes being grilled river prawns from Suphanburi province, as Hun Sen is fond of Thai cuisine.
Dating back to 1992, the relationship between Thaksin and Samdech Hun Sen began before Thaksin became Prime Minister. Thaksin once said that Hun Sen is like a brother and that Cambodia is like another home during difficult times. Meanwhile, Hun Sen stated that Thaksin is like an elder brother to him. During the period when Thaksin lived abroad in self-exile, Hun Sen appointed him as his personal advisor and economic advisor to the Cambodian government.
On August 5, 2023, which marked Hun Sen’s 71st birthday, Thaksin brought his sister Miss Yingluck Shinawatra to celebrate Hun Sen’s birthday in Cambodia as special guests. (TNA)
