Senate President Urges Cambodians to Avoid Retaliation Over Viral Video

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 6, 2025) — Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen has called on Cambodians to refrain from retaliatory actions following the circulation of a controversial video that has heightened tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

In a statement Sunday, Samdech Techo Hun Sen condemned what he described as “inhumane” behavior in a video allegedly showing a Thai national shooting at his portrait for entertainment.

“Is this what we call a civilized nation with high morality, ethics and civilization?” he said. “Whether created by a human or AI, it clearly displays immoral behavior.”

Samdech Techo said some Cambodians had proposed producing similar content targeting Thai royalty, including offering prizes for shooting at portraits of the Thai king. He rejected the idea, warning against stooping to the same level.

“If we believe their actions are wrong, then we should not compete in wrongdoing,” he said.

He urged the public not to use images of Thai leaders in a disrespectful manner and encouraged economic protest instead, such as avoiding Thai goods and reducing use of the Thai baht.

“Redirecting spending to local products would strengthen our economy,” he said, while cautioning against targeting Thai businesses or citizens in Cambodia.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also warned of financial risks tied to reliance on the baht and advised border communities to exchange it for riel or U.S. dollars.

“Our country may be small, but we must not be weak in morality,” he said.
He concluded by announcing plans to release the video that sparked the controversy.