A Friendly Thailand? By Raoul M. Jennar

This text, originally published on social media, is signed by Raoul M. Jennar, an observer of Cambodia since 1989. A recognized specialist on Southeast Asia and particularly on Cambodian-Thai relations, the author offers here a critical and engaged analysis of the ongoing border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

Raoul M. Jennar

A Friendly Thailand?

Official propaganda—whether it comes from the real power (the army), the façade power (the government), or the media, all marked by the most delirious ultranationalism—tends to present Thailand as a peaceful, smiling, open, friendly country. Nothing could be further from the truth. And only passing tourists swallow this deceitful narrative.

The True Face of a Military Aggression

Less than a year ago, during two wars of aggression and territorial conquest, Thailand showed the world its true face. It used disproportionate military means in what was framed as a border dispute: strikes deep into Cambodian territory, F-16 fighter-bombers, cluster bombs, and the spraying of toxic substances. On the ground: the forced and violent expulsion of thousands of inhabitants—men, women, children, the elderly—followed by looting, destruction of their homes, and occupation of the conquered territories.

Is this how a civilized country settles a border dispute? Cambodia wants to resolve this dispute through the most peaceful and legal means available: recourse to international law and competent jurisdictions. But Thailand has shown, in the starkest terms, that it is not a civilized country, since, by refusing to respect international law, it resorted to the most barbaric methods, targeting innocent civilians.

A Violated Ceasefire

Since a ceasefire took effect last December, Thailand has continuously violated its terms. It has expanded the occupied territories and is working to create an irreversible situation by altering the nature of the land. It has begun erecting a wall separating the illegally occupied territories from the rest of Cambodian territory.

A Hybrid War Against Cambodia's Economy

In support of these activities, which are entirely contrary to international law, Thailand is working to discredit Cambodia and project the most negative image of the country. Thousands of fake news stories are being spread around the world to discourage tourists from visiting Cambodia. Not only did the two wars Thailand inflicted in 2025 severely damage Cambodia's tourism sector—one of the country's vital resources—but the Thais are now waging a hybrid war aimed at completely destroying the economy of a country that depends largely on new foreign investment and on the appeal of an architectural heritage recognized worldwide and protected by UNESCO.

Debunking the Disinformation

Nothing that Thais are spreading on social media to discourage tourists from visiting Phnom Penh, the Angkor temple complex, the beaches of Koh Rong, Kampot, or Kep, the highlands of Ratanakiri or Mondolkiri—in short, from visiting the 20 most beautiful sites the land of the Khmers has to offer—is true. There is no more of a security problem in Cambodia than in the most beautiful destinations visited elsewhere in Asia, Europe, or the rest of the world. One only needs to ask those who have just spent a few days or weeks in Cambodia to become convinced that "the land of smiles" truly belongs to the Khmers.

A Call to Travelers and the International Community

Certainly, tensions remain high between Cambodia and Thailand, but this should in no way discourage tourists from traveling to Phnom Penh—preferably avoiding a layover in Bangkok, where authorities treat poorly those traveling to or from Cambodia. While there are not yet direct flights from Europe to Cambodia, there are very welcoming connecting options via China, Malaysia, Singapore, or Vietnam.

Cambodia needs everyone in the world who grants it the right to exist and prosper to reject Bangkok's deceitful propaganda—especially since Thailand shows no goodwill and keeps multiplying pretexts to avoid returning to the negotiating table. A table where Cambodia waits, alone.

But peace, after all, takes two.

Raoul M. JennarObserver of Cambodia since 1989