In recent months, the situation along the Cambodia–Thailand border has taken a deeply troubling turn. The Thai military, with silent approval from its government, has allowed extremist factions to engage in actions that are nothing short of psychological warfare against innocent Cambodian civilians living near the frontier. These provocations — from loud nighttime broadcasts to intimidation tactics — have created fear, distress and humiliation for ordinary people who only wish to live peacefully on their ancestral land.
Such behaviour is not just a violation of neighbourly respect; it is a breach of fundamental human rights. The right to peace, security and dignity must be upheld for every human being, regardless of nationality. The world must not remain silent when state power is misused to terrorise civilians through psychological means.
While the Thai side seems to tolerate and even empower ultranationalist voices that spread hatred and distort history, Cambodia has chosen a higher path. The Royal Government of Cambodia continues to instruct its citizens to remain calm, patient and resilient — in the spirit of their proud ancestors who built the glorious and noble Angkor civilisation. Cambodia believes in peaceful coexistence, dialogue and law, not provocation or propaganda.
This is why we call on the international community — especially the UN, ASEAN and human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch — to closely monitor and intervene in this matter. The ongoing psychological operations conducted by Thai forces against Cambodian border communities are unacceptable under international law and humanitarian norms. They erode trust, destabilise the region and poison the spirit of ASEAN solidarity.
Cambodia has honoured all bilateral treaties and the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States President on July 28. We have acted with restraint, even when provoked. Yet, patience must not be mistaken for weakness. The people of Cambodia deserve protection from intimidation, and the international community has a moral duty to uphold justice.
Peace cannot be built on humiliation or fear. The path forward must be one of truth, respect and mutual understanding. The time has come for the UN and international human rights bodies to speak out — not for Cambodia alone, but for the dignity and peace of all peoples in our region.
Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
