AKP Phnom Penh, July 06, 2025–

In a time of rising tension and rampant misinformation, surveys can either reveal the truth—or be weaponized to distort it. Such is the case with the recently released NIDA Poll, Thai state-funded institution, which attempts to smear Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Cambodia’s Senate President and former long-serving Prime Minister, portraying him as untrustworthy, self-serving, and interfering in Thai politics.

But while Thailand’s political machinery spins stories for domestic consumption, the Cambodian people have already spoken—and they have spoken clearly. A recent survey conducted by the Asia Vision Institute (AVI) on June 17, 2025, offers an entirely different reality—one grounded in popular legitimacy, strategic patience, and national unity.

NIDA Poll: A Reflection of Fear, Not Fact
NIDA’s poll, conducted from June 30 to July 2 with 1,310 respondents, paints a caricature of Samdech Techo Hun Sen as a disruptive foreign figure who interferes in Thai politics and seeks to benefit only himself. This is not a serious policy analysis—it is an orchestrated effort to deflect from internal Thai instability and redirect blame toward Cambodia’s strong and consistent leadership.

That a full 67.63% of Thai respondents claimed Hun Sen acts for his own benefit, and 57.25% labeled him untrustworthy, says more about the Thai political environment than it does about the man himself. These responses mirror a growing discomfort within Thailand’s political establishment—a fear of Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s influence, experience, and boldness in speaking truths Thai leaders refuse to confront.

The poll reveals deep anxieties within the Thai public about their own leadership. When 43.05% say Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s predictions about a change in Thailand’s prime minister are “not believable,” and 34.12% say it’s “random guessing,” it shows how fragile the political ground in Bangkok really is. Why such paranoia over the words of a foreign leader—unless there is something to hide?

AVI Survey: Confidence, Unity, and Popular Support for Peace
In contrast, the AVI survey—conducted on June 17, 2025, with 1,588 participants from a broad range of sectors including students, government officials, and workers—shows an overwhelming support for the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and its leadership in resolving the Cambodia–Thailand border disputes. And more importantly, it reveals a high level of public trust in Cambodia’s peaceful, legal, and strategic approach.

Key results include: 93.6% of Cambodians are satisfied with the RGC’s handling of the Thai border disputes. A near-unanimous 99.8% support the ICJ route to resolve disputes over Ta Mone Thom, Ta Mone Toch, and Ta Krabey temples. 88.7% support the RGC’s decision to close the border in response to Thai military provocations. 73.8% believe the Thai military provoked the conflict, while 23.1% blame Thai extremist nationalists. 95.8% support the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in standing guard 24/7 to defend Cambodian sovereignty.

This data shows a country united—not divided. It shows that Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s leadership continues to command deep respect, not just historically, but in the present. While Thailand flails in political uncertainty, Cambodia is standing firm—with a clear legal strategy, a disciplined military, and a population ready to defend peace.

A Leader Respected at Home and Abroad
The Thai campaign to discredit Hun Sen is not just petty—it is profoundly insecure. For decades, Samdech Techo Hun Sen led Cambodia through war, poverty, and foreign interference to national recovery, growth, and international recognition. His voice carries weight, not because it provokes, but because it speaks from experience.

His critics in Thailand fear this voice because it resonates beyond Cambodia’s borders. When he warned of political instability in Thailand, it wasn’t a threat—it was a well-informed observation.

Instead of addressing their internal crisis, Thai elites have chosen to attack the messenger.

But Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s record speaks for itself: A consistent advocate for peaceful resolution through international law. A leader who elevated Cambodia to regional importance within ASEAN. A statesman respected by global powers, from China to Europe.

The Thai political class may attempt to manipulate opinion through the NIDA poll, but truth cannot be spun forever. The Cambodian people, through the AVI survey, have shown the world where they stand: with peace, with sovereignty, and with leaders who serve the nation—not themselves.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen remains a respected national figure—not only in Cambodia, but across the region. He does not need the approval of politically biased surveys from across the border to validate his legacy.

Thailand may try to undermine him with words, but Cambodia supports him with action, loyalty, and trust. And that, in the end, is what history will remember. 

By Roth Santepheap, Geopolitical Analyst based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The views and opinions expressed are his own.