Hun Sen might lose degree

14/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Thirty-seven MPs and senators are pressing Ramkhamhaeng University to revoke an honorary degree it granted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The parliamentarians yesterday petitioned House Speaker Chai Chidchob to ask the university to strip Hun Sen of the political science degree on the grounds that the Cambodian premier had not respected diplomatic etiquette and had shown no regard for bilateral relations.

Hun Sen has appointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his government economic adviser and has blamed Thailand's justice system for Thaksin's political downfall.

The group consists of 37 MPs and senators. They include Democrat Party MP Somkiat Pongpaiboon and Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul.

Ramkhamhaeng University awarded Hun Sen the honorary degree in 2001 for his prominent role in foreign relations.

Revoking Hun Sen's degree would sever ties

9/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Revoking Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's degree from Ramkhamhaeng University would totally sever ties between Thailand and Cambodia, Ramkhamhaeng rector Kim Chaisansook said on Monday.

Mr Hun Sen was bestowed with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Political Science in the field of Foreign Relations from Ramkhamhaeng in 2001.

"This is a big issue, especially when it deals with a country's leader," Assoc Prof Kim said. "The university cannot decide on this alone but it has to consult with the Foreign Ministry and the government."

He said the Thai-Cambodian dispute was not too serious yet.

The situation was like two people who frowned at each other, he said.

"We have to think of the long-term consequences. Although some leaders are disliked by others, Thailand and Cambodia still share mutual benefits, and not everything is negative," the rector said.

"If the Thai government breaks off its ties with Cambodia completely and the two countries later become enemies, Ramkhamhaeng would have to revoke the degree immediately. If we don't, it would mean that we don't love our country."

He said the current situation was not that bad, and making a decision to go with the flow could cross the line.

Hun Xen could lose his Thai PhD?

Ramkhamhaeng says situation not yet warrant for revocation of Hun Sen's degree

November 9, 2009
The Nation

The rector of Ramkhamhaeng University said Monday that the bilateral ties between Thailand and Cambodia has not deteriorated to the level the university should revoke its honorary doctorate degree given to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The People's Alliance for Democracy Monday called on the university to revoke Hun Sen's degree after the Cambodian prime minister appointed fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra as his economic advisor.

Kim Chaisaensuk, rector of the university, said the university also wants to protect the national honor but the revocation of the degree would be too severe.

He said the degree should be revoked only the two countries completely severed ties and the two nations became enemies.

That's Dr Hun Sen to you

Photo by: KEM SOVANNARA

Friday, 09 January 2009
Written by Post Staff
The Phnom Penh Post

Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks on Wednesday after receiving an honorary doctorate degree in economic from the Woosuk University of the Republic of Korea. Ra Jong-yil, president of the university, handed over a certificate to Hun Sen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a ceremony attended by hundreds of government officials.