Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday responded to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s criticism that he and his father, Hun Sen, engage in politics through Facebook, by pointing out that Thai leaders are no different.
The Phnom Penh Post quoted Hun Manet as saying that Thai politicians have accused him and Hun Sen of engaging in unprofessional politics and claimed that political discourse should not be conducted via Facebook, which they consider ineffective.
Without naming names, he noted that Thai leaders themselves rely on social media to disseminate information—sometimes even threatening to cut certain services to Cambodia without prior consultation.
“One moment they talk about cutting electricity, then the internet, then building a fence between Cambodia and Thailand. Is that professional? Let’s be clear: Cambodia isn’t silent; we are very patient because we don’t want trouble,” he said.
Speaking at the closing of the National Scout Conference in Phnom Penh on June 17, Manet stated that social media is the fastest way to reach the public, which is why world leaders regularly use it.
Paetongtarn, on June 16, stated during a press briefing following a National Security Council meeting that the Thai government conducts negotiations in accordance with international norms through official state channels.
