In this 2025 conflict with Thailand, Cambodia has taken a series of bold and calculated moves that caught many by surprise. Whether faced with jokes, threats, or proposals from Thai officials and commentators, Cambodia has responded with swift and decisive action, turning potential pressure points into strategic advantage.
It started with a comment from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson statement of a halt in electricity and internet supplies to Cambodia. Just hours later, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Manet, turned the tables by announcing an immediate halt in purchases from Thailand. Then, a Thai commentator claimed Cambodia would surrender if Thailand cut off petroleum for a couple months. Once again, Cambodia didn’t wait, it announced it would stop importing Thai oil altogether including several products.
This approach reflects a classic commitment strategy in game theory. Cambodia is signaling that it won’t tolerate threats, real or hypothetical without consequence. By acting first, it:
1. Removed Thailand’s leverage before it could be weaponized.
2. Boosted its political credibility, both at home and abroad.
3. Flipped the narrative from a passive underdog to an assertive, strategic actor in the region.
On Thailand’s side, the response was reactive. After Cambodia’s actions, the Thai Prime Minister tried to change the narrative again, accusing Cambodia of harboring cybercrime and ordering the suspension of services that Cambodia had already stopped buying. It was a clear case of too little, too late.
What’s most important is that Cambodia is no longer the underdog. In 2025, Cambodia is stepping onto the regional stage with confidence and resolve. The world is now witnessing a Cambodia that refuses to be bullied, no matter it is a military threat nor economic war. On June 25, Senate President Samdech Hun Sen made a bold declaration: Cambodia is not only capable of defending itself but is also prepared to counter any military aggression if Thailand ever decides to invade. Then, on June 26, he warned that Cambodia has information that could shake up Thai politics if the Thai Prime Minister keeps being disrespectful.
Now, with manipulative strategies falling flat, Thailand turn to use peace talks for the camera energy, pretending to be the calm one after throwing the first punch to Cambodia. Just remember the fact that Thailand refuses to acknowledge its hand in escalating tensions, including the shooting of a Cambodian soldier and its unwillingness to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This hypocritical diplomacy ignores international legal norms while masking aggression behind a cybercrime narrative.
Cambodia has made its position clear: this is not the Cambodia of the 2005. And anyone still trying to play the old power game is in for a surprise.
Author: DeNotorious