Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has invited Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Cambodia next month. He extended the invitation while visiting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at his home in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The former Cambodian leader posted a message on Facebook saying he invited Ms Paetongtarn, Thaksin's youngest daughter, to visit Cambodia on March 14-15. "I visited Thaksin at his home in Bangkok. He is unwell, but gave me a warm welcome as a brother," he wrote.
"We, the two former prime ministers, didn't discuss politics, we simply recalled the memories of our 32 years of friendship. Thank you, my brother and my niece, for having me," he said.
Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, arrived at Thaksin's home on soi Charan Sanitwong 69 at 10.51am, spent two hours there and left for his flight back home about 1pm. They also had lunch, with grilled prawns from Suphan Buri and Thai desserts on the menu. Ms Paetongtarn replied to Hun Sen's social media post, wishing him a safe journey home and thanking him for his love and support.
Hun Sen's visit came three days after Thaksin was released from detention on Sunday morning. Thaksin, widely seen as de-facto leader of the ruling party, is being closely watched for his next move, especially if he tries to assert control over the Pheu Thai Party and the government.
Thaksin and Hun Sen are known to have close ties. Before his return to Thailand on Aug 22 last year, Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra attended Hun Sen's 71st birthday party in Phnom Penh on Aug 5. In 2009, Thaksin was made a Cambodian government adviser.
