Social media and Thai-Cambodian ties

After two full days of intense discussions, senior Cambodian officials, journalists, and Phnom Penh-based Thai diplomats and representatives of the private sector, unanimously agreed on the pivotal role of social media — it can either promote peace or instigate war.

- Kavi Chongkittavorn

The exchanges were part of a media capacity-building exercise organised by the National Press Council of Thailand to enhance Thai journalists' understanding of Cambodia. The forum was held in Phnom Penh on Friday.

Thailand and Cambodia have had a long-standing love-hate relationship due to border conflicts left over from the days of French colonisation. Like a fountain, a border conflict can erupt at any time, depending on the domestic situation in both countries. Thailand has land borders with neighbours drawn during British or French rule, but the 817-kilometre border with Cambodia has been the most problematic.

Since the Paetongtarn government came to power last year, Thai-Cambodian ties have been strengthened further following efforts by the Prayut government, particularly via the new rapport between the leadership on both sides.

Former prime minister Hun Sen, currently the President of the Cambodian Senate, and ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra know each other well. At one time, Thaksin served as an economic adviser to Hun Sen after he was toppled by a coup in 2006. Both leaders are also fathers of young prime ministers, Hun Manet and Ms Paetongtarn, in their respective countries.

It's sad but true that while the top echelon forges closer cooperation, sentiment at the grassroots level is an entirely different matter. This is a rather unique situation given the current controversial role of Thaksin in the Thai domestic scheme of things.

His political comeback has rekindled the rise of ultra-conservative and nationalist sentiment in Thailand. Social media content providers and influencers associated with these nationalist groups have already grown in number and have thus far dominated the internet with unhealthy comments.