Cambodian Youths Spread International Voices against Thailand’s Invasion
Young Cambodian people residing in the country and overseas have embraced social media platforms to counter what they believe is misrepresentation in international news regarding the escalated Cambodia-Thailand armed clashes.
They believe the international media distorts the facts, portraying Cambodia as the instigator of the conflict. In contrast, they believe Thailand started the clashes, accusing international media of being biased and lacking thorough information gathering.
They call for understanding and diplomatic actions from the international community, demanding immediate fire cessation.
Images have emerged of the shocking aggression of Thailand, which wilfully shelled and destroyed a Cambodian monastery, injuring many and killing a religious leader.
https://t.co/FOdI4nKRBA
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on July 27 strongly condemned the shelling of Preah Vihear temple by Thailand’s armed forces, which targeted the temple for the second time since fighting began along the Cambodia-Thai border.
On July 27, the Ministry of Culture issued an urgent statement, stressing that Thailand’s aggression, once again, had put the temple in “grave and unprecedented danger” as “significant portions of the structure and its surrounding sacred landscape have been severely damaged or destroyed.”
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https://t.co/AXPnBNuh6K
There needs to be a @UN fact finding mission. Cambodia is under increasingly more hostile, expansive attacks from Thailand who uses disproportionate forces that have now moved beyond disputed areas. Our sovereignty and livelihood is under attack.
Despite repeated commitments to ceasefire, Thailand continues to violate its own promises. After initially agreeing to halt attacks following discussions with the Malaysian Prime Minister on 24th July 2025, Thailand resumed firing. Last night, 26th July, even after reaching another ceasefire agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Thai military launched heavy weapon attacks on Cambodian territory. Moreover, Thailand is breaching its agreement with the United States, the very supplier of its weapons, by using these arms under false pretenses and in inappropriate conditions.
There are two possible explanations for this ongoing breach. First, Thailand’s domestic politics may be in chaos, with the government and military operating on conflicting agendas. The military could be acting independently, attempting to boost its image by disregarding the government’s orders. Second, this may be a calculated tactic designed to shield Thailand from international condemnation. By shifting blame onto its military, the government maintains plausible deniability while still pursuing its territorial ambitions.
As Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet has repeatedly stressed, Thailand must first identify who truly holds the authority to negotiate and make decisions before any meaningful peace can be achieved.
Author: PanhaCHEZDA
Having lived in Cambodia for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the heart and resilience of its people.
Cambodia isn’t a big country, but its people are warm and generous. As the saying goes, “Cambodia is a small country with a big heart.” I’ve seen that play out time and time again.
While elites argue and posture, it’s ordinary people—on both sides—who suffer. The ones who flee their homes. The ones caught in the crossfire. The ones who wake up to find their world shattered by someone else’s decisions.
Tomorrow, Cambodia and Thailand meet in Malaysia. I hope both leaders realize that dragging this out even one more day is senseless. No more rockets hitting homes. No more ancient temples shattered by F-16’s. No more blood spilled over lines on a map.
Time to grow up, step back, and give people the one thing they need most: peace—and the chance to sleep in their own beds again.