As tension brews on the Thai-Cambodian border, waves of nationalistic, anti-migrant rhetoric has also appeared on Thai social media, from demands for the expulsion of Cambodian workers to the calls for war. Some right-wing groups have even vowed to commit violence against Cambodians in Thailand.

“If [Thailand and Cambodia] go to war, what we are most concerned about is our livelihoods. We are worried that we would be out of work and have no money, especially now when Cambodia is facing a severe economic crisis,” said Pete (pseudonym), a 41-year-old Cambodian worker who has lived in Thailand for 20 years and now works at a hotel in one of Thailand’s resort towns.

The 28 May clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed at Chong Bok, a border pass in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district and one of the un-demarcated areas between Thailand and Cambodia, has led to rising tensions between the two countries and a wave of anti-migrant sentiment online. As some netizens threaten violence, Cambodian workers have become increasingly concerned about their safety.

“A friend of mine who works in Bangkok is concerned because a Thai person posted on social media that if even one Thai soldier gets injured, they will attack a Cambodian … or something like that,” Pete said in an interview with Prachatai on 5 June.

“I think it’s too extreme. You have to be able to differentiate that the fighting is between governments … ordinary citizens are not involved but they are affected.”

A Thai Facebook user posted a video clip threatening to attack a Cambodian person if a Thai soldier is injured at the border. The hashtags used in the video are those used by right-wing extremist groups known for attacking and conducting raids on migrant workers.

The same Facebook user posted that, if even one Thai soldier at the border gets injured or killed, they will attack a Cambodian person in return.

Another post on the same Facebook user's profile page encouraging Thais to attack Cambodians, comparing them to "excellent sandbags".

After the border clash, nationalistic, anti-migrant rhetoric has become increasingly common on Thai social media. One Facebook user who is part of a right-wing extremist group threatened to attack Cambodians if any Thai soldiers get injured. He also encouraged Thai people to beat Cambodians, saying that they are “excellent punching bags” and posted that people should attack Cambodians because a Thai flag was stepped on.

In other nationalistic posts, pictures have circulated on social media of a sign posted in front of a restaurant saying that “this restaurant does not have and will not hire Cambodian workers.”  A Twitter user also posted a video clip of an alleged Cambodian stepping on a Thai flag, writing that Cambodians should not complain if Thais step on the Cambodian flag in turn. Elsewhere, others called for Cambodian workers in Thailand to be deported and encouraged the use of force by the Thai military.  Even video clips of a Cambodian military marching band faced a barrage of comments from Thai netizens who criticised their skills and uniforms.

The Thai military is also playing the social media game. Soon after the clash, the Army launched a campaign inviting people to use the hashtag #Thais are peace-loving, but are no cowards when at war – a line from the Thai National Anthem - to show support for soldiers. Military facebook pages also posted illustrations parodying the new hit Netflix series “Mad Unicorn,” the story of a startup courier service, accompanied by the hashtags and captions saying that each branch of the Armed Forces was ready to deliver weapons and troops to the frontline.

A picture being circulated on social media of a sign posted in front of a restaurant saying that “this restaurant does not have and will not hire Cambodian workers.”

A post on the Thai Army's Facebook page parodying the new hit Netflix series "Mad Unicorn," saying that the army is ready to deliver artillery bullets. One commenter said "Send one to Hun Sen's house."

A post on the Thai Army's Veterinary and Remount Department, saying that their war dogs stand ready for delivery.

The Air Force joined the campaign with a post saying that their F-16 fighter jets stand ready for a mission to "protect [Thai] sovereignty." One commenter said "Aim for Hun's house."

Before the latest incident at Chong Bok, Thai and Cambodian netizens often clashed in culture wars. Pete feels that social media has made the current conflict worse.

The Cambodian government said that it intends to bring the border dispute regarding the Emerald Triangle its three ancient temples to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with or without Thailand’s participation.

Thailand, meanwhile, insists that it wants to resolve the dispute through bilateral negotiations. In a statement issued on 5 June, it said that Thailand has rejected the ICJ’s jurisdiction since 1960 and is ready to participate in the upcoming Joint Boundary Commission meeting on 14 June.

On 6 June, Thailand began imposing travel restrictions at border checkpoints in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa ket, and Sa Kaeo, including changing the opening and closing times for the entry points and limiting the type of travellers. ThaiPBS World reported that the restriction at some checkpoints in Sa Kaeo were eased today (11 June) for around 2000 Cambodian children living in Thailand so they could attend classes across the border.

Following a negotiation between Thai and Cambodian troops at Chong Bok on 8 June, both sides agreed to retreat to the positions they held in 2024 and hold weekly meetings to ease tensions. Cambodian troops will also fill in the trenches they dug.

On 11 June, Khmer Times reported that Cambodia has formed a committee responsible for preparing documents to file a case regarding the border dispute to the ICJ. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn has been appointed chair of the committee.

Cambodia’s decision to take the case to the ICJ is seen by some as an effort to stir up nationalist sentiment to increase the Hun Manet government’s popularity.   Opposition politicians like Sam Rainsy have meanwhile used the same sentiments to accuse former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Hun Manet’s father and Cambodia’s current Senate President, of being a traitor for allowing Thailand and Vietnam to encroach on Cambodian territories.

Long-term Cambodian residents in Thailand, like Pete, tend to believe that border disputes are often used to increase governmental popularity as Cambodians at home often are easily drawn to nationalist narratives. Pete said that although Cambodia is also facing border disputes with Vietnam, Cambodians cannot talk about these disputes because criticising Vietnam would mean the risk of arrest and threats from officials.

He added that the majority of his friends and family do not want fights to break out on the border. Cambodian workers in Thailand favour bilateral negotiations or bringing the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Despite reportedly close relations between the two Prime Ministers, they do not believe that the issues can be easily resolved.

“The world has changed now. It is nonsense to be an ultra-nationalist, to be crazy about such things,” Pete said.  “I tell other Cambodians that instead of worrying that they … look down on us, we should improve our country. If we don’t … our people will have to keep leaving the country to be labourers in Thailand, Japan, or Korea … If we are strong, if we are like the Japanese or Koreans, who would look down on us?”