Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has invited Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Cambodia next month. He extended the invitation while paying a personal visit to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at his home in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The former Cambodian leader posted a message on Facebook saying the visit was to reminisce on their 32 years of friendship. He said invited Ms Paetongtarn, Thaksin's youngest daughter, to visit Cambodia on March 14-15, to strengthen their ties further. "I visited Thaksin at his home in Bangkok. He is unwell, but gave me a warm welcome as a brother," he wrote.
"We, the two former prime ministers, didn't discuss politics, we simply recalled the memories of our 32 years of friendship. Thank you, my brother and my niece, for having me," he said.
Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, arrived at Thaksin's Chan Song La home on soi Charan Sanitwong 69 in Bang Phlat district at 10.51am, spent two hours there and left for his flight back home about 1pm. They also had lunch, with grilled prawns from Suphan Buri and Thai desserts on the menu. Ms Paetongtarn replied to Hun Sen's social media post, wishing him a safe journey home and thanking him for his love and support.
Hun Sen's visit came three days after Thaksin was released from detention on Sunday morning. Thaksin, widely seen as de-facto leader of the ruling party, is being closely watched for his next move, especially if he tries to assert control over the Pheu Thai Party and the government.
Thaksin and Hun Sen are known to have close ties. Before his return to Thailand on Aug 22 last year, Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra attended Hun Sen's 71st birthday party in Phnom Penh on Aug 5. In 2009, Thaksin was appointed as a Cambodian government adviser.
Prof Jaran Maluleem, a lecturer on international relations at Thammasat University, said on Wednesday the Thaksin-Hun Sen relationship reflects a pattern adopted by nations in the Southeast Asian region, where bilateral ties are developed based on the good personal ties of country leaders. They can also help alleviate tensions or de-escalate conflicts.
Although Hun Sen has no governing power, he could help alleviate Thai-Cambodia border tensions, an ongoing problem, he said. Both countries are also likely to deepen their ties and expand cooperation while the Pheu Thai Party stays in power, Prof Jaran said.
Talks about the overlapping claims area (OCA) between the countries, an area believed to have rich fossil fuel deposits, are expected to proceed. Both nations are also likely to resolve spats surrounding cultural heritage items, he said.
"Country leaders still play a pivotal role in diplomacy in Southeast Asia, especially leaders who have influence in a political party," he said.
Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, political science lecturer at the National Institute of Development Administration, said Hun Sen's visit indicates solidarity between the pair. "However, in terms of politics, it undermines the image of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin who is perceived by some as a proxy of Thaksin," he said.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, an academic on security and foreign affairs, said the Thai government has proposals, including joint development in the OCA with Cambodia, which await a response. No matter what Cambodia decides on those issues, its decision would be linked to this meeting and the possible role of Thaksin in it, he said.