PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 23, 2025) — In a recent social media post, Cambodian Senate President Techo Hun Sen addressed The Nation, advising the publication to concentrate more on Thailand’s internal matters rather than speculating on Cambodia’s political trajectory. This response comes in the wake of an article by The Nation that examined the regional implications of recent Cambodia–Thailand border tensions and the subsequent geopolitical shifts impacting Cambodia's governance.

The Nation reported that "the aftermath of the five-day conflict and the Cambodia–Thailand border tensions has rippled through the international community, which now largely supports the crackdown on grey-zone Chinese capital in Cambodia." The publication suggested that these developments have left Prime Minister Hun Manet’s government vulnerable, challenging the long-standing Hun Sen regime's stability.

Global analysts, as highlighted by The Nation, are increasingly speculating on a potential political transition in Cambodia should the Hun family’s rule collapse. The focus has shifted to opposition figures like Sam Rainsy, an exiled leader, and Prince Norodom Chakravuth, head of the royalist FUNCINPEC Party, as possible successors or influencers in a reformed political landscape.

In his reaction, Techo Hun Sen, who served as Cambodia's Prime Minister before taking on his current role as Senate President, expressed his concerns about the professionalism of certain articles published by The Nation concerning Cambodia. He remarked, "I have been in power since before some of these Thai journalists were even born or were still walking around naked. I understand what internal Cambodian politics truly entails, while some of these Thai reporters seem unaware even of the state of their own country's affairs, yet still attempt to analyse and critique the situation in Cambodia."

The Senate President urged The Nation's journalists to stay attuned to developments within their own country, particularly following the outcome of Thailand’s early elections slated for 2026. He highlighted the importance of observing the political landscape once the government reaches its four-month mark in office post-election.

Emphasizing Cambodia's capability in handling its own domestic affairs, Techo Hun Sen cautioned against transforming Thai stories into narratives about Cambodia. "When it comes to Cambodia, we know how to manage our own affairs. There is no need to twist Thai domestic stories into narratives about Cambodia," he stated.

Techo Hun Sen included a pointed advisory reflecting on the nature of political discourse: "If you're going to play, don't get angry and if you're going to get angry, don't play."