Thai newspapers reported that on June 20, Mr. Somkid Chueakong - Deputy General Secretary of the Thai Prime Minister - filed a complaint with the Cybercrime Investigation Department (CCIB) in Nonthaburi province, requesting legal proceedings against President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen.
In the petition, Mr. Somkid accused Mr. Hun Sen of threatening national security and causing division in Thai society after the appearance of a recording of a conversation between Mr. Hun Sen and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
Somkid said the act was done as an individual Thai citizen and Deputy Prime Minister, not to protect the Prime Minister or expect any personal gain. He also added that he had not reported the petition to the Prime Minister, only sharing it with some close people.
Regarding the recording, Mr. Somkid said that Mr. Hun Sen took advantage of the situation to gain a political advantage and weaken the Thai side. According to him, this makes the public feel that Prime Minister Thai is "grumbling" against Cambodia, affecting the honor and prestige of the country.
He called this a violation of diplomatic rituals, which he said was un acceptable in a civilized society, and stressed the need to handle it according to Thai law.
According to AFP, the leaked phone call showed Ms. Paetongtarn calling the commander of the army in the northeast region of Thailand "an opponent" and affectionately calling Mr. Hun Sen "uncle". These words have met with strong reactions from the public
On the side of the investigation agency, Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphan - Member of the CCIB - confirmed that, after taking initial statements from Mr. Somkid, the case could be handled under Thai law, regardless of whether the behavior occurred within or outside Thai territory, and whether the subjects involved were Thai or foreign citizens.
Mr. Trairong cited that scams through domestic call centers have been handled in a similar way.
He said that the next step is to collect more evidence and trace the origin of the recording. In case the source of the dispatch is abroad, Thai authorities will coordinate with the Chief of Staff's Office and contact the relevant embassy to promote extradition if there is an arrest warrant.
No one is outside the law, no matter who they are, Mr. Trairong emphasized.
