PHNOM PENH, April 28, 2024 — A series of photographs capturing a breakfast meeting between Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei are drawing significant attention in Cambodia.

The breakfast, which took place on Tuesday morning, April 30, 2024, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Vattanac Tower, a luxury establishment in central Phnom Penh, included not only Hun Sen and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah but also their sons. Hun Sen was accompanied by his three sons, Hun Manet, Hun Manith, and Hun Many, while Sultan Bolkiah was joined by Prince Abdul Mateen.

The Sultan arrived in Phnom Penh at 7 p.m. on April 29, 2024, specifically for this engagement. Hun Sen personally welcomed the Sultan at Phnom Penh International Airport and accompanied him to his hotel, expressing warm regards and referring to Sultan Bolkiah as his brother.

During the event, Hun Sen remarked on the deep personal relationship between the leaders, noting the familial bond he shares with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and also referencing mutual connections with Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra. Hun Sen described their relationship as akin to brotherhood, with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as the eldest, Thaksin Shinawatra as the middle, and himself as the youngest brother.