Thai honorary degree revoked from Hun Sen
In the midst of the escalating border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, Ramkhamhaeng University has taken a significant step by revoking an honorary doctorate awarded to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The decision, made unanimously by the university council on Friday, was based on Hun Sen's actions that were deemed to have violated Thailand's sovereignty. The revocation is effective immediately.
The conflict, which intensified in July, has been the deadliest clash between the two countries in over a decade. It has been rooted in historical territorial disputes and exacerbated by nationalist politics and leaders' rivalries, including involving Hun Sen [1][3][5].
The university council stated that retaining the honorary degree for Hun Sen could mislead the public about the purpose of such awards. They highlighted that the original citation praised Hun Sen's role in promoting peace and fraternity between Thailand and Cambodia. However, his recent conduct directly contradicts these values [2].
Thai political figures, such as Thaksin Shinawatra, have accused Hun Sen of actions that led to armed clashes along the shared border, further fuelling the tension [3][5].
The revocation of the honorary degree follows international efforts to de-escalate the conflict, with ASEAN calling for an immediate ceasefire and the UN Security Council holding emergency meetings [3][4]. Despite announcements of ceasefire agreements in late July, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing diplomatic friction and military tensions.
This move by Ramkhamhaeng University serves as a clear statement against actions that undermine peace and fraternity, and underscores the importance of respecting international borders and the sovereignty of neighbouring countries.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Cambodia, Thailand exchange fire near disputed temple. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/cambodia-thailand-cambodia-thailand-border-dispute-southeast-asia-b75f7e9b8b8d2663b9f40e6d438e4d4f
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 6). Ramkhamhaeng University revokes honorary degree from Hun Sen over border conflict actions. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ramkhamhaeng-university-revokes-honorary-degree-hun-sen-over-border-conflict-2025-08-06/
[3] The Nation. (2025, July 31). Thaksin urges ASEAN to take action against Hun Sen over border conflict. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30397467
[4] BBC News. (2025, July 26). Cambodia-Thailand border conflict: UN Security Council holds emergency meeting. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56044330
[5] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 3). Cambodia-Thailand border conflict: ASEAN calls for ceasefire. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/cambodia-thailand-border-conflict-asean-calls-for-ceasefire
The decision by Ramkhamhaeng University to revoke Hun Sen's honorary degree and the international efforts towards de-escalating the war-and-conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand highlight the significance of politics and general-news in shaping global relations. The revocation serves as a clear message opposing actions that breach peace and international borders, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty in war-and-conflicts resolution.
