Cambodians facing war: Mobilisation, solidarity and diaspora in the crisis with Thailand

As the border between Thailand and Cambodia flares up again, Cambodian society is reacting with an intensity rarely seen since the end of the Khmer Rouge conflict. The recent clashes, triggered by territorial disputes, have left dozens dead and caused more than 120,000 civilians to flee along the border. What is the popular reaction, the actions of NGOs, solidarity networks and the role of the diaspora in organising aid?

AKP illustration

A population mobilised on the streets and online

The Cambodian people's reaction was primarily manifested in large-scale rallies: in Phnom Penh, tens of thousands of citizens marched in a solidarity march, waving flags and portraits of leaders to express their support for the government in the face of the border crisis.

This mass movement, supervised by the authorities and relayed on social media, aimed to demonstrate national unity in the face of Thailand, but also to encourage soldiers stationed on the edge of the disputed territory.

On social media, the conflict continues virtually, with young Cambodians engaging in a war of words against their Thai counterparts on all major platforms, sharing hashtags, patriotic videos and counter-narratives in a climate of heightened nationalism. This digital activism complements the real-world mobilisation and reinforces the sense of national unity.

Solidarity on the ground: NGOs, monks and volunteers

Faced with this emergency, Cambodian NGOs are taking action in several areas: evacuating people, treating the wounded and distributing food and basic necessities. The role of monasteries, traditional refuges in times of crisis, deserves to be highlighted: some temples are transforming their premises into improvised air-raid shelters, built in record time thanks to the generosity of local donors, while monks offer songs and spiritual support to those who have been displaced.

Volunteers, ordinary citizens from all walks of life, take turns cooking, collecting clothes and medicines for soldiers and families on the run: mutual aid is organised from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, equally motivated by patriotism and humanitarian duty.

Diaspora: relay and sounding board

Abroad, the Cambodian diaspora is also mobilising. Mass demonstrations have taken place, with ‘Stop the war’ placards, banners calling for international pressure on Bangkok, and live streams to raise global awareness. Expatriate and migrant worker associations are launching appeals for financial contributions via online platforms: campaigns on GoFundMe, Facebook, and encrypted messaging services are being used to collect funds for NGOs active on the border. These campaigns are often coordinated with student collectives and local humanitarian support groups to ensure that aid reaches its destination quickly. Some members of the diaspora are using their networks in the international media to relay appeals to foreign NGOs for medical and logistical supplies.

A collective movement, between patriotism and humanitarianism

What stands out in Cambodia's response is its impressive capacity for cross-sectoral mobilisation: solidarity is evident both in official marches and in the daily actions of volunteers, on the ground and online, locally and internationally.

Far from being opposed, nationalist and humanitarian sentiments coexist, driven by memories of past crises. Thus, Cambodian civil society, marked by its history, is transforming adversity into an opportunity to strengthen its internal ties and present a united front in the face of the historic challenge posed, once again, by the settlement of the ancestral border dispute with Thailand.