Cambodia Bans Thai Films and TV in Escalating Border Dispute

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has banned Thai films and television shows and disconnected cross-border internet links with Thailand in its latest response to an intensifying border conflict that erupted last month and resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The Ministry of Fine Arts issued a directive Friday mandating an immediate suspension of all Thai movies in cinemas and Thai TV shows on local broadcasters. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of Telecommunications confirmed that all domestic internet service providers have rerouted international traffic away from Thai networks, a move that officials claim could cost Thailand hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

This retaliatory step follows a fatal skirmish on May 28 in a disputed “no man’s land” along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Although both nations have since de-escalated their rhetoric, they continue to apply pressure through non-military measures to appease nationalist sentiment at home.

Telecom Minister Chea Vandeth stated that the internet disconnection was a “preemptive act of national self-reliance,” in response to suggestions by Thai hardliners to sever energy and data services to Cambodia.

At least one Cambodian internet provider reported temporary disruptions due to the rerouting process.

Som Chhaya, deputy director general of the People Nation Network TV channel, confirmed his station would comply with the new broadcast order, replacing Thai content with Cambodian, Korean, and Chinese dramas. Thai entertainment has long been popular among Cambodian audiences, making the ban a significant cultural shift.

Cambodia’s actions come just ahead of a scheduled meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary in Phnom Penh, aimed at resolving the long-standing territorial dispute.

Despite last month’s clash, both armies have since agreed to adjust troop positions without officially using the word “withdraw.” Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra framed this as a mutual gesture of respect.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reinforced the move on social media, signaling a strong stance against what his administration views as Thai provocation.

The Cambodia-Thailand border has been a persistent source of friction, especially around the Preah Vihear temple site. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the site to Cambodia—a decision that still causes resentment in Thailand. The ICJ reaffirmed the ruling in 2023, but localized flare-ups have continued, including deadly incidents in 2011.

While both nations assert their willingness to resolve the conflict through dialogue, recent tit-for-tat measures—including internet cutoffs, media bans, and tightened border crossings—underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region.

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