Amid a tenuous ceasefire, deep-seated divisions and escalating online vitriol are threatening the fragile peace between Thailand and Cambodia. Days after a deadly five-day conflict, the relationship between these neighbouring countries remains precariously frayed, with social media becoming an unwelcome battleground where public distrust is actively fanned by a bitter confluence of disinformation, threats, and fervent nationalism.
The immediate human toll of this escalating tension is palpable. For Cambodians residing in Thailand, like 31-year-old Da, fear has prompted drastic measures, including keeping her children home from school to shield them from potential abuse. Stories of overt hostility, such as a market vendor expressing hatred towards Cambodians, underscore the rising xenophobia and prejudice impacting daily lives amidst the Thailand-Cambodia relations.
Despite an announced truce, the aftermath of the recent border conflict has seen both sides trading accusations of ceasefire violations. This period of shaky peace is compounded by an aggressive online environment where inflammatory content, often devoid of verifiable facts, is exacerbating animosity. Volunteers like Dowsawan Vanthong, aiding evacuees in Surin, northern Thailand, voice profound concerns that even if physical calm prevails and the border eventually reopens, the profound damage to bilateral relations may prove irreparable.
Historically, the 800-kilometer border served as a conduit for regular cross-border movements, facilitating trade, work, education, and healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Cambodians employed in Thailand. However, the current border conflict has led to an almost complete shutdown, prompting thousands of Cambodians to queue for repatriation, driven by anxieties over the rising vitriol in Thailand. Despite the unease, individuals like Da are compelled to remain in Thailand for economic reasons, highlighting the complex choices forced upon many by the precarious situation.
The digital realm has become a hotbed for inciting violence and deepening divides. Social media commentaries have grown increasingly incendiary, exemplified by viral clips depicting a Thai man appearing to assault Cambodian youths, which was then shared by powerful Cambodian figures like Hun Sen. Other widely circulated videos purportedly show assaults on Cambodian nationals, while a disturbing trend of Cambodian women desecrating the Thai flag online has ignited calls for their deportation, fueling the pervasive social media hate.
This contemporary strife is rooted in a long history of rivalry between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, frequently manifesting in arguments over shared cultural heritage. Notable incidents include the 2003 riots spurred by false rumours concerning Angkor Wat and more recent diplomatic rows over naming conventions in sports, such as the Kun Khmer versus Muay Thai dispute. Even seemingly innocuous social media posts, like an ambassador’s mention of “Khmer dessert,” have inadvertently spiraled into intense online wars, demonstrating the underlying sensitivities in Southeast Asian Diplomacy.
Amidst the rising tensions, there have been instances of pushback against discriminatory practices. A major hospital in Ubon Ratchathani faced public backlash and was compelled to reverse its policy of suspending services and “zoning” Cambodian patients, a policy widely condemned as discriminatory. Yet, online discourse reveals a strong undercurrent of support for such measures, with some commentators openly questioning assistance to a perceived adversary, showcasing the deep societal fissures created by the regional tensions.
Political analysts, such as Ken Lohatepanont in Thailand, suggest that while the immediate ceasefire may hold, the medium and long-term prospects for peace are less clear. The core points of contention between Thailand and Cambodia remain largely unaddressed, indicating a challenging path forward for resolving underlying issues. This unresolved agenda casts a shadow over the stability of the region and the future of Cross-Border Migration.
For individuals like Da, who resides far from the immediate border area, life is constrained by the prevailing unease, largely confined to her home. Her poignant sentiment—that both sides bear responsibility and must find a path to peaceful dialogue—underscores the widespread desire for normalcy. The hope for open border gates and the re-establishment of harmonious relations between the Thai and Cambodian people remains a powerful aspiration amidst the ongoing turmoil.
