Not just on borders, Cambodians and Thais battle it out on social media as well

The deadly border
clashes between Thailand and Cambodia this week, which claimed over a dozen lives, have heightened fears of a full-scale conflict in the region. The clashes have already prompted regional governments to work urgently to prevent war.

Yet, a different battle is already unfolding online, as citizens from both nations engage in fierce, hostile exchanges on social media platforms.

Tensions, which have been simmering since a skirmish in May killed a Cambodian soldier, escalated dramatically with Thursday’s deadly attacks.

Conflict enters digital realm

The longstanding rivalry between Thai and Cambodian nationalists, often centred on disputes over cultural heritage—such as temples, territories, traditional dances, costumes, food, and sports—has now spilt into the digital realm with renewed intensity.

Young people from both sides are fueling the conflict online, trading insults and defending their governments’ narratives in the comment sections of social media posts.

One Cambodian user wrote, “Justice for Cambodia,” on a TikTok video attempting to explain the conflict, adding, “Thai troops opened fire on Cambodian forces first.”

A Thai user shot back, “[Who’s] gonna trust [what] the largest scammer country said?”—a jab at Cambodia’s notorious scam centres that have ensnared countless victims.

Another Thai user, rallying support on X, posted, “Cambodia fired at Thailand first. This is the truth. Join in using the hashtag #CambodiaOpenedFire,” in a message that garnered a million views.

Cambodians, in response, have taken to using the hashtag “Thailand opened fire” while sharing their own videos about the conflict.

Deepening divisions

The deteriorating relationship between the two nations has reached its lowest point in a decade, with both governments imposing travel restrictions and bolstering military presence along their shared border since May.

The escalating online rhetoric has raised alarms about deepening divisions between the two countries’ populations.

In a rare joint statement issued in May, Thai and Cambodian journalists’ associations warned that social media users have “circulated information without clear sources” and “caused confusion.” They called on users to “carefully consider the potential consequences” of sharing inflammatory content related to the border dispute.

As Cambodia pushes for a
ceasefire, it remains uncertain whether the online aggression will subside.

Complicating matters, influential political figures from both sides, active on social media, are also trading barbs.

Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, a polarising populist, posted on X about offers to mediate the conflict but added, “But I asked for some time because I have to let the Thai military teach Hun Sen a lesson for his cunningness.”

Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, still a dominant force in Cambodian politics, fired back on Friday via his X account, stating, “I am not surprised by Thaksin’s attitude toward me, because he has even betrayed the Thai King, as well as members of his own party. Now, under the pretext of taking revenge on Hun Sen, he is resorting to war, the ultimate consequence of which will be the suffering of the people.”