PUBLISHED : 21 Feb 2024 at 12:40
Cambodia’s Supreme Privy Council President Hun Sen visited his long-time friend Thaksin Shinawatra at the former prime minister’s Bangkok residence on Wednesday morning, amid tight security.
The former Cambodian prime minister on Wednesday posted a message with two photos of himself on a plane on his Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia Facebook page, saying he was on his way to Bangkok to visit former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra.
Hun Sen arrived at Don Mueang airport on Wednesday morning and then travelled in a Mercedes Benz to see Thaksin at his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bang Phlat district.
Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, also arrived at the house. The already tight security was beefed up during Hun Sen’s visit.
Reporters gathered in front of the residence, but were not allowed inside.
Thaksin, 74, and Hun Sen, 71, developed a strong friendship during their many years in power. The Cambodian strongman reportedly decided to visit Thaksin at his home out of a personal concern for his health.
Thaksin was released from prison on parole on Sunday, after serving half of a one-year prison sentence, reduced from eight years by royal clemency, for conflict of interest and abuse of power while in office prior to 2006. He spent the entire six months in the Police Hospital in Bangkok.