Hate speech has been raging among Thais and Cambodians since border clashes erupted on July 24 near Ta Muen Thom temple, where troops exchanged fire along the Surin-Oddar Meanchey frontier. The conflict left dozens dead, including civilians, injured many, and displaced villagers on both sides.
But the battle has since spilled beyond the battlefield into cyberspace, where taunts have flown as fiercely as bullets and bombs.
Experts on both sides, however, are warning that verbal warfare could deepen animosity and even spark ethnic conflict if left unchecked.
“When you sow seeds of hatred, it can lead to hate crimes,” warned Sakulsri Srisaracam, deputy dean of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts, in an interview with ThaiPBS World.
Sakulsri said that once hatred becomes entrenched in society, even the smallest disagreement can be amplified, setting the stage for confrontation.
Her concerns were echoed by Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, who told the Khmer Times that irresponsible comments would only escalate tensions.
Both were speaking as simmering disputes over temples, land and historical grievances once again boiled over. This time, the hostility is not confined to border patrols or government communiques – it has entered airwaves, news feeds and the emotions of ordinary citizens.
Social media: The new battlefield
On both sides of the border, mocking posts, memes and vitriolic commentary are spreading fast. Many Thais and Cambodians now openly express glee when the other side suffers pain or losses.
Sakulsri explained that this phenomenon is rooted in how online content is consumed.
“Many respond to what they watch or read online with anger and hatred but fail to realise that the content may have been distorted or taken out of context,” she said.
Mental health counsellor and trauma specialist Robert Espiau told the Khmer Times that social media is not a neutral space but an instrument for psychological manipulation, conditioning people’s behaviour and amplifying spontaneous emotional reactions.
“Social media is not a neutral platform. It’s become a tool to control perception, mine data and shape how we see reality,” he said.
The media’s responsibility
Sakulsri urged Thai and Cambodian news outlets to act responsibly and not add fuel to fire by spreading fake news.
“When you report a news story, make sure it’s presented in a manner that does not incite hatred and anger. Stories should be well-balanced, with information from both sides,” she said.
She added that political disputes should not be allowed to affect people-to-people relations.
Charoeun made a similar appeal, saying that mocking a neighbour during crises – be they political, economic or natural – demonstrates a “lack of empathy and humanity”.
Somkid Petchprasert, a lecturer at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, pointed out that both governments used nationalistic messaging to rally support during the conflict.
“By now, it seems, the content has spiralled out of control. It’s as if there’s no space for reconciliation,” he said, adding that if efforts are not made soon, it will become tougher to mend ties later.
“Our defence minister plans to establish Ban Nong Chan [in Sa Kaeo province] as a sister city of Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey [province]. But this policy is unlikely to progress under the current climate of hostility,” he said.
Culture, faith and shared heritage
However, not everybody is pessimistic. Sudjai Saadying, former president of the Surin Cultural Council, believes shared cultural and religious traditions can lead to peace.
He pointed out that if ties were normal, people from both sides would be crossing freely to participate in merit-making ceremonies marking the end of Buddhist Lent on October 7.
“The locals really want peace,” he said, noting that Cambodians of the older generation still understand and speak the Surin dialect, which is close to pre-modern Khmer before Vietnamese influences crept in.
“The older generations do not feel hostility, but I don’t know what the younger generation feels,” he said.
Sudjai admitted that younger people are more active online, more exposed to provocative content and thus more easily pulled into digital battles.
He also accused Cambodia’s strongman Hun Sen of shaping anti-Thai sentiment among youth during his time in power. Hun Sen took over as Cambodian leader in 1985 and remained in power until 2023, when he passed the helm to his son Hun Manet.
Somkid added that Cambodian youth are often presented with narratives framing Thailand as an invader and cultural usurper. Even primary textbooks portray Thailand negatively, he said.
A glimmer of hope
Despite the grim atmosphere, Somkid remains optimistic. “Thailand and Cambodia are neighbours, and in the end they will need to rely on one another. It’s not possible to close the borders for a hundred years,” he said.
He added that he also hopes Cambodian youth will eventually realise that not everything they hear about Thailand and its people is correct.
Similarly, he said, he teaches his students to expand their horizons and not to stereotype Cambodians.
“Don’t be prejudiced against Cambodians and rush to believe that they are dishonest or lazy. You should realise that many are skilled workers, especially in the construction field,” he said.
He also highlighted the longstanding educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries, including scholarships under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
These scholarships have allowed Cambodian students to pursue higher education in Thailand for more than a decade.
“Now, I’m looking forward to seeing the recipients, who have graduated with bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, come together to strengthen cross-
border ties, rather than weaken them,” he said.
He also noted that Thais, though often quick to anger, are equally quick to forgive. Hence, he said, Thais will not attack Cambodian vendors at border markets once the conflict ends.
“We don’t really hate Cambodians and I trust that Thais will still extend a hand when help is needed,” he said.
