PHNOM PENH: Former President of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA), Thorn Vithy, was approved as a member of the long-reigning Cambodian People’s Party on October 23, having denounced his former opposition politics.

The former CNRP president made a video in which he said the lies of the opposition party incited him to demonstrate in front of the UN and the Cambodian Embassy in the United States in the past. He specifically denounced Sam Rainsy, a requirement for membership started by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also President of the CPP. The former PM has a long-term rivalry with Rainsy, whom he promised to meet at the border with a rocket launcher should the CNRP co-founder ever try to return to Cambodia.

In the 3:14 video, Thorn Rithy said, “[My actions were] at the instigation of the traitor Sam Rainsy, who raised funds to support both domestic and foreign activities, but these funds-they use it for their own benefit.”

"Obviously, during my presidency of the CNRP in Massachusetts, USA, I raised money and handed it over to Sam Rainsy,” he said. “But I noticed that the money was not taken anywhere, like the budget to create Cambodia SUNTV page, the budget to sell watches and so on" he said. He said that Sam Rainsy and the opposition were all swindlers, who use demagogy and appeal to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by use rational argument.

He said that when he returned to visit his hometown in Cambodia on October 6, 2023, he observed that Cambodia is truly developed in all areas under the leadership of Former Prime Minister Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet. He then asked forgiveness from the Royal Government and asked to join the CPP.