Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said on his official Telegram channel that he had long ago discarded honorary degrees given by three Thai institutions. He said the certificates had no value to him and had never been a source of pride.
He recalled receiving the degrees in 2001, 2006 and 2019. He said his knowledge came from Cambodia’s people and education system rather than from Thai schools or certificates.
Hun Sen said the degrees came after he had already held senior public office and made no difference to his career. He cited the following milestones.
He said he became foreign minister in 1979 at age 27.
He said he became deputy prime minister and foreign minister in 1981 at age 29.
He said he became prime minister in 1985 at age 32.
Hun Sen said the institutions had approached him and included assessments of his record. He said his office would publish those records as a reminder. He said the past could not be rewritten, that he alone had chosen whether to accept and that he had never boasted about the degrees.
His statement responded to a Thai institution’s announcement that it was revoking an honorary degree, the station reported.
Compiled by Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television
