Phnom Penh – Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate, has strongly refuted accusations from the Thai Prime Minister that Cambodia is a central hub for online fraud. Instead, Hun Sen asserted that Cambodia, along with neighboring Myanmar and Laos, are victims of a larger online scam network originating from Thailand.
Speaking publicly, Samdech Hun Sen pointed out that Thailand is uniquely positioned as the sole country in the region with direct international flight connections, allowing external individuals to easily enter Thailand. In contrast, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia lack large airports capable of handling such direct international flights. He argued that this infrastructure makes Thailand the primary conduit for online scammers, whose activities should therefore be addressed by Thai authorities.
Hun Sen highlighted that not only Cambodia but also Laos and Myanmar are severely affected by these illicit operations. He explained that Thailand supplies internet services and electricity to areas along its borders with these nations, effectively making it the logistical center for the flow and distribution of online fraud crimes to its neighbors.
In light of these claims, the Cambodian Senate President urged international partners, including China and the United States, to recognize this dynamic and engage in collaborative efforts to suppress online fraud and other cross-border criminal activities effectively.
Samdech Hun Sen firmly stated his inability to accept the accusations leveled by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who attributed the online crime issue to Cambodia. He characterized her remarks as a grave error, metaphorically stating, “You are spitting blood at others, but you forget that the blood comes from your own body.” He further challenged: “Who is nurturing these criminal groups along the borders with Myanmar? Who is nurturing these criminal groups along the borders with Laos?”
Beyond online fraud, Hun Sen also accused Thailand of being a significant hub for drug distribution. He cited Malaysia’s recent consideration of constructing a border fence with Thai provinces to stem the influx of drugs from Thailand. Hun Sen remarked, “The four southern provinces (of Thailand) experience armed clashes almost daily, almost weekly, almost monthly, to the point where Malaysia is considering building a fence to prevent drugs from Thailand entering Malaysia. When Malaysia speaks like this, it means the drug syndicate in Thailand is not small. It is huge.”
Despite these strong criticisms, Samdech Hun Sen reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to continued cooperation with Thailand and other countries in preventing and suppressing all forms of crime, including online fraud, human trafficking, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
From the same platform, Samdech Hun Sen also criticized the integrity of certain Thai leaders, suggesting dishonesty towards their own people, business partners, and neighboring countries. He specifically issued a warning to the Thai Defense Minister, who had previously made what Hun Sen described as arrogant and disparaging remarks concerning Cambodia, particularly regarding threats to cut off electricity supply.
Hun Sen countered the Thai Defense Minister’s alleged false claims to his own populace that Cambodia still purchases electricity from Thailand. He clarified that Cambodia ceased purchasing both electricity and internet services from Thailand as early as June 13th. Samdech Hun Sen called on the Thai Defense Minister to provide a dignified and truthful explanation to his own people, befitting his official position.
