Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence, once again inserting himself into Thailand’s political affairs, despite holding no official position. Thaksin recently announced that he is ending his relationship with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Hun Sen, following a leaked phone call between Samdech Hun Sen and Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
That news alone was not surprising. But what raised eyebrows was Thaksin’s bold statement:
“Now that our children are leaders of two countries, are we going to go to war with each other?” He asked H.E. Khliang Hout to pass this message on to Samdech Hun Sen.
But can Thaksin really speak on behalf of Thailand?
1. Two Leaders, Two Realities
It’s true that both of their children are now prime ministers. But the political context could not be more different:
• Thaksin has no formal role in Thai politics. He is not a government official, not a member of parliament, and not even the leader of the Pheu Thai Party. In fact, he still faces legal cases in court.
• In contrast, Samdech Hun Sen holds multiple official positions. He is the President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the dominant ruling party, and the current President of the Senate. In this regards, Samdech Hun Sen has the legitimate authority to speak on national matters.
• The Thai people did not vote for Thaksin’s daughter to be Thai Prime Minister in the first place. In contrast, Samdech Hun Manet rose to power through a general election in which the people directly voted for him to become Prime Minister. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, however, climbed the political ladder through party maneuvering—not through a public mandate.
2. The Problem in Thailand: A Shadow Government?
This is where Thailand’s crisis lies. Many Thais believe Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is operating under the shadow of her father. She once told Parliament she is a “daddy’s girl,” a statement that drew intense criticism and reinforced the perception that Thaksin is the real decision-maker.
According to the Bangkok Post, Paetongtarn had already been warned in 2024 not to allow her father to interfere in government affairs. But since then, Thaksin has appeared at multiple protocol events, further blurring the lines between personal influence and public office. As a result, Paetongtarn’s popularity has declined steadily, especially among those who once supported the idea of a new, independent generation of leadership.
Mr. Thaksin’s statement yesterday may have been a strategic move to protect himself, given his ongoing legal cases. However, he made it crystal clear that he has deep involvement in his daughter’s administration, despite having no rightful authority. In doing so, Thaksin didn’t just damage Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s public image and popularity, he also undermined public trust and further eroded the credibility of Thailand’s political system.
Author: PanhaCHEZDA