Opinion: Thailand’s misperception of Cambodia

Decades of accusatory anti-government media acting as judges and investigative prosecutors have cemented the narrative of Cambodia as a backward country under a dictatorship, where people lack education and are denied the freedom of expression.

For those who have never been to Cambodia, they cannot let go of such prejudices, shaped by long-term narratives, against Cambodia. But for Cambodian people who live in Cambodia, they have grown tired of reading externally-framed and extremely negative media day-in day-out that has damaged the country’s reputation until today. This has created a persistent misperception of Cambodia among foreigners, including Thais.

1. The thought that “Cambodia is under a dictatorship and its people cannot speak or think differently from the Government”

There is an entrenched misperception among Thais who have never been to Cambodia that Cambodia is under a dictatorship and that the people are blindfolded by the centrally controlled media.

In fact, Cambodians have a wide range of media to choose from. In a country where social media is so prevalent, it is difficult – impossible – to suppress diverse opinions into one single opinion. The only way to do this is to completely shut down social media, and Cambodia has never done that.

With a growing number of people benefiting from better education, greater exposure abroad, and a youth who considers mastering new technologies “cool,” the new generation of Cambodians is a cautious reader. They don’t believe easily. They may not be as expressive or loquacious as political activists expect, but they are silent and critical observers. They understand what is good and what is bad for Cambodia.

They broke their silence when national territorial integrity was at stake, when the peace that Cambodia had enjoyed uninterruptedly for 26 years was at stake.

The recent peace rally in Phnom Penh and the enthusiasm of Cambodians from all walks of life to donate to frontline soldiers and war evacuees do not seem to suggest government-imposed action. They volunteered to do so. They did so wholeheartedly. Tens of thousands of rally supporters were predominantly from the younger generation, and they mobilized not to continue the war, but to end it.

Cambodia’s unity is consistent, from the highest level, His Majesty the King, to the grassroots people and civilian movements. This unity is based on the desire for Peace.

There is no blockage of access to media like what Thailand is doing. For instance, the Bangkok Post and the Nation have blocked access for Cambodian readers.

Cambodian newspapers like the Khmer Times and the Phnom Penh Post also received massive attacks from Thai netizens but they nevertheless chose to open their outlets for Thai readers so that the latter can balance their reading vis-à-vis the narratives created by the Thai government and military.

2. The thought that “Thailand helped Cambodia in the past and now Cambodians shoot at them”

It is an indisputable fact that Thailand assisted in Cambodia’s peacebuilding in the 1980s and 1990s.

At the special lecture at the ASEAN Secretariat on 5 May 2025, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his gratitude toward ASEAN, including Thailand, for their indispensable contribution to Cambodia’s peace process.

“At this point, I acknowledge that Cambodia owes a great deal to ASEAN. We must never forget that ASEAN played a significant role in Cambodia’s peacebuilding process, although Cambodia was not a member of ASEAN at that time. Consider how vital was the role of Thailand in hosting Cambodian refugees and facilitating the return of nearly 400,000 displaced individuals? Why was His Excellency Chavalit Yongchaiyudh willing to facilitate negotiations between Cambodian different factions both in Thailand and even in Japan? Why was Indonesia willing to provide a negotiation platform for Cambodia? And why was His Excellency Ali Alatas willing to step in and act as a mediator in a conflict far from his own country and without a direct impact on its national security? These actions reflect a shared sense of regional responsibility – an institutional spirit that transcends national interests and borders. It exemplifies the use of soft power, the power of negotiation without resorting to gunfire, and relying instead on multilateralism with engagement from multiple stakeholders.”

Contribution to peace process and refugee repatriation were noble acts by Thai government and people.

But showing gratitude does not mean that Cambodia should cede its land and temples to Thailand.

There is no other word to describe Thailand’s actions than invasion: when Thailand attacked the Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice determined belonged to Cambodia in two separate rulings in 1962 and 2013; when Thailand extended the battlefield from Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces to Pursat province; when Thailand used F-16 and Gripen fighter jets to drop massive bombs like the MK-84 and penetrate deep into Cambodian territory; when Thailand continues to use its unilateral map to claim territory and justify its military actions.

Thailand accused Cambodia of attacking civilians, but bullets cannot distinguish between civilians and military personnel, or between different age groups. Despite having more modern weapons and guidance systems, Thailand has attacked pagodas, schools, hospitals, etc., which are by no means military targets.

3. Troubling signals from Thai media and thinkers

The author has been concerned about the complete absence of calls for peace from the community of Thai media and thinkers. The Cambodian media published opinions daily related to the appeal for peace. Some Cambodians are not writers, but they expressed their worries and concerns for the well-being of the country and its people, and they wrote to advocate for peace.

On the contrary, while it is necessary for the Thai media to justify the country’s actions, it is worrying that Thai journalists and thinkers have not called for peace.

While the Cambodian people have shown enthusiasm for the ceasefire, the possible restoration of peace, and the normalization of borders, the same enthusiasm is not found among the Thai media and thinkers.

Media and thinkers are considered as opinion leaders.

Expressing voices for peace is a noble conduct for humanity, not to serve any political agenda or purposes. It is worrying that Thai media and thinkers are not promoting a peace agenda and that the freedom of expression that Thailand often boasts as superior to Cambodia is not serving the goals of democracy, peace and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The only conclusion we can draw is that the Thai people and media seem dissatisfied with the peace with Cambodia. But this is not a conclusion we want to draw. We want Thai media and thinkers to prove the opposite.

The author Chan Kunthiny is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical and security analyst. The views and opinions expressed here are the author’s own.

 

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Opinion: Thailand’s misperception of Cambodia

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The world should start hearing our voices

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I'm a daughter of Cambodia. I grew up in Sihanoukville. I have no political ambition, nor do I want anything more than what I need in life. I like to share my thoughts because I want to help.

I must speak out if I see danger. Based on my analysis of the recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, I see an imminent threat in the coming years: Thailand will invade and occupy 6 of Cambodia's provinces by 2075. The invasion is not a distant possibility, but a looming danger that we must address now. Thailand will want Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Siem Reap back. Thailand wants all the territories that it ceded to France in 1893. Thailand is no longer a passive nation. It's becoming more assertive and aggressive in its territorial claims. One can tell which direction a country is heading based on the rhetoric coming from its leaders and citizens, and the rhetoric is alarming. Thailand has imprinted the toxic seed of ambition in the minds of the new generation. The seed will bear fruit in the next several decades.

Thailand has consolidated its power under the monarchy, and there's no turning back. Thailand revoked the monarchy's power in the early 1900s, but 100 years later, it has partially restored the monarchy's power. The civilian power is just a pony show for international observers.

The first stage of war is an information campaign within the country to gain public support. The second stage is to test the international response. What just happened was just the second stage. Unfortunately for Thailand, they never thought Donald Trump would intervene. With the threat of higher tariffs and the collapse of Thailand's economy, Thai territorial ambition came to a screeching halt.

However, Donald Trump won't be here forever for Cambodia. The United States has a term limit. He's only here for three more years. Thailand has time on its side. In the future, Thailand may no longer rely on the US market.

As the world advances, so does military technology. Thailand's use of drones to bomb Cambodia was just a taste of what's to come. By 2050, Thailand's military will be far more advanced than Cambodia's. We're talking about swarm drones, stealth fighter jets, humanoid soldiers, and naval drones. Cambodia would be outgunned and outmatched. It's like bringing a gun to a knife fight. By 2100, seizing half of Cambodia would be a cakewalk, and not even Vietnam would dare to face off with Thailand.

It's time for Cambodia to turn a new page. Cambodia's foreign policy needs to be updated. It's time to bring in the big guns. It's time to bring in the cowboys from the United States of America. Cambodia needs to amend the constitution and invite the United States to build and operate a military base west of Siem Reap, Cambodia. This base would be under Cambodian sovereignty, with the US military providing support and protection. What better way to stop Thailand than to have the world's number one military at its doorstep? Besides, aren't they allies? America's military base in Cambodia would stop Thailand's ambitions for good.

The United States would protect Cambodia's sovereign territory for hundreds of years to come. No neighbor would dare try to invade Cambodia again. How do we know this? Over 50 countries have US military bases, and they are all safe. Nobody invades them. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, but it has a US military base. The Philippines' former and current presidents are father and son, but it has a US military base. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are all kingdoms, but they have a US military base.

The US does not want anybody's territory anymore - not by force. Just look at World War 2, the US returned all the countries to their owner. The US is an ocean away from Cambodia. They would be doing us a favor, not the other way around. If the US wanted other people's territory, it would not have given back the Philippines after Spain lost the war. The US's actions in the past demonstrate its commitment to respecting the sovereignty of other nations, and we can trust that it will do the same for Cambodia.

What are the benefits of having a US military base in Cambodia besides protection? There are significant economic opportunities that come with hosting a US military base. Investors would feel more confident in their investment. The government would be more stable. Tourism would likely increase. The US military would spend money locally, injecting billions into our economy every year. The military base is not just about protection, but about a brighter economic future for Cambodia.

In 1860, King Ang Doung and King Norodom requested the French as a counterbalance to the influence of neighboring states. It's time for Cambodia to do the same, but this time it's the world's number one superpower, the United States of America. Currently, Cambodia risks losing half of its western territories, if not all its territories, if it does not adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape. Unfortunately, even in modern times, nations still invade each other, as we see with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I ask all citizens to share this with their friends, so that our government can consider this course of action. Your support and voice are crucial in this decision. Let's stand together for the future of our beloved Cambodia.

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I am a daughter of Cambodia. I grew up in Sihanoukville. I have no political ambition

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Donald J. Trump U.S. Department of State

On July 17th, 2025, the new German Chancellor, Fedreich Merz, had a message for President Donald Trump: "Stay with us, stay with Europeans."

Two weeks later, on July 24th, 2025, Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodia over disputed Temples. The attack stopped after President Donald Trump intervened on July 27th.

My plea to President Donald Trump is to stay with us, stay with Cambodians.

Let me address the elephant in the room first: Cambodia was unable to develop as many international observers had hoped. There are significant problems and concerns. There seems to be some conflict every decade or so. Cambodia is addressing these concerns.

Thailand's 5-day assault on Cambodia was a strategic move that cannot be overlooked. Thailand utilized every tool in its arsenal: airstrikes, drones, howitzer artillery, and rockets. Was this a mere border dispute over a temple or a full-fledged invasion? Let's examine the facts: Thailand launched attacks at 11 different locations, spanning the entire 800km border and several other provinces in Cambodia. The extended battle line, far from the disputed temples, is clear evidence that this was not about the temple. The border conflict was a smokescreen for territorial expansion. Thailand's invasion plan was only halted due to President Donald Trump's tariff threat. Cambodia was on the brink of destruction, and it was President Donald Trump who inadvertently prevented Thailand's expansion plan from materializing.

In recent years, Thailand, too, has turned increasingly towards China. Since the 2014 coup in Thailand, China has become the top arms supplier to Thailand, alarming Washington. Thailand signed up with China's Belt and Road Initiative. Thailand signed an agreement to procure weapons jointly with China. The Thai government's Defence Technology Institute (DTI) will set up Thailand's first commercial joint defense facility with China in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, Thailand. Thailand participates in a Chinese military exercise called "Falcon Strike," while pretending to be a US ally. We should note that Russia conducts military exercises with China. China's arms sales to Thailand are equivalent to a political and military alliance. Thailand wants to have its cake and eat it too.

China's arms sales to Cambodia are relatively small compared to Thailand, which is in the billions of dollars, and it's increasing every single year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The only difference is that Cambodia had no choice but to buy arms from China. Thailand can buy from the United States, but it chooses to buy from China, a calculated realignment with Beijing. China invests $30B in Thailand with over $120B in bilateral trade, while Cambodia accounts for only a fraction of that. Cambodia-China bilateral trade is less than $20B. China's investment in Cambodia is just several billion dollars. The real Chinese ally is Thailand, not Cambodia.

While Bangkok points fingers at Phnom Penh for aligning with China, Thailand is guilty of the very thing it's accusing its neighbor of, but on a much larger scale. Unlike Phnom Penh, Thailand not only aligns with China but also pretends to be a US ally. Thailand's double-dealing is a betrayal of trust at its finest.

Arms sales to Thailand are understandable if arms are for defensive purposes, but to bomb your neighbor into submission over a disputed temple is not defensive at all. To use American arms to coerce Cambodia from seeking the world court to adjudicate the disputed claims is not only Russian-like, but it goes against the spirit of the American end-user agreement.

The world cannot ignore Cambodia. Since the United States dropped 2.7M tons of bombs on Cambodia (more than WW2 combined), it has been through hell and back. From civil war to genocide, Cambodia came back. Since then, the world has come together to build this project. Cambodia is the world's project. Please stay with us. Please help us see that this project is completed and successful.

I ask President Donald Trump to stay with us, stay with Cambodia. In the age of might is right, Cambodia cannot be another victim of imperialist expansionism, just like what Russia is doing to Ukraine. Thailand and Cambodia have overlapping cultural claims. We cannot allow Thailand to swallow Cambodia and erase the Khmer culture and identity that dates back two millennia. Kyiv was the first East Slavic city. Moscow is now trying to rewrite history and claim it as Russian. Angkor Wat was the center of the Khmer state a millennium ago; now, Bangkok, too, wants to rewrite history and reclaim it as Thailand.

Thank you, President Donald Trump, for your intervention between Thailand and Cambodia. Millions of Cambodians and I are rooting for your Nobel Prize nomination, as you truly deserve it. I will make it my personal goal to campaign for your Nobel Peace Prize. 360,000 Americans who identified as Cambodian will also root for you. God bless you and God bless the United States of America!

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On July 17th, 2025, the new German Chancellor, Fedreich Merz, had a message for President Donald Trump: "Stay with us, stay with Europeans.

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