As citizens of a country, people must have a patriotic spirit and love their country. So there is nothing wrong when Cambodian and Thai citizens love their country and support their respective countries.
However, the way in which love is expressed can have both good and bad effects. A simple example is that parents love their children and show their love by doing whatever they want. In the end, the child becomes a spoiled child, without morals, without knowledge, because the child is obsessed with having fun and forgets to learn and to recite.
The same is true of nationalism. The expression of nationalism by each person can help the country, but in a bad situation, it can also harm the country, leading to ethnic conflict or even war. Is this something that Cambodians and Thais need to take a moment to think about whether they are expressing their nationalism in the right way?
Most Cambodians and Thais are Buddhists who teach people to love each other and live together in peace. Most importantly, the foundation of Buddhism is truth or reality. Therefore, Cambodians and Thais must have truth in mind when they express their nationalism. Passionate and unfounded nationalism is a dangerous thing for both countries and their people.
For example, in the current situation, if the Cambodian people and the Thai people are holding onto their own resentments and anger, and each wants to resort to violence to resolve the conflict, how can the people of the two countries live as good neighbors?
Both the Cambodian people and the Thai people should support their respective governments to resolve the conflict peacefully. And do not push the two countries into ethnic or armed conflict. Cambodian and Thai citizens must remember that there are no winners in war, only losers, and the people who suffer the most are the people, especially those in the border areas.
Nationalist movements have been growing between Cambodia and Thailand since the border clashes on May 28, 2025, leading to the deployment of forces by both sides and the beginning of a crackdown on border crossings. But it is hoped that Both sides will maintain and contain the nationalist movement, preventing it from spreading into extremism or racism.
The current thorny issues in Cambodian-Thai relations have arisen one after another, from the issue of Koh Kut to the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabey and the Mom Tei area, and are currently tense along the border between the two countries.
These issues It is caused by a nationalist movement fueled by some opposition politicians in both Thailand and Cambodia, who have used it as an excuse to criticize their opponents, i.e. to seize and seize political power and influence in their respective countries. This is an issue that deserves attention, and it is hoped that the Cambodian and Thai sides can find a common solution to resolve the issue and de-escalate the situation peacefully.
Not only in Cambodia and Thailand, in recent years, nationalist politics have resurfaced around the world, often wrapped in the language of patriotism, cultural pride, or national sovereignty. Such political trends and strategies often lead to racism, hatred, and extremism, leading to a series of wars, such as in Africa, and part of the recent Israeli-Iranian war is also fueled by this nationalism.
The promotion of the idea of “true patriotism” is not a slogan or a symbolic gesture, but rather a way of building a better country through unity, good governance, and respect for all citizens. The best way to neutralize such problems and views is to provide tangible results such as boosting economic growth, strengthening national security, promoting education, expanding health care programs, and protecting cultural identity.
In short, to deal with the situation and tensions along the border, it is hoped that the Cambodian and Thai sides will use a correct nationalist movement or perspective, that is, it should include a form of movement and patriotic spirit that is rooted in the law, true testimony, and transparency, especially not exploiting each other under political and diplomatic reasons. .
Please promote solutions and adopt those that are based on the principles of peace, international law, and respect for the dignity of each other. Therefore, let the people of Cambodia and Thailand join together to promote a peaceful resolution between the two countries and refrain from any actions that will only add fuel to the fire. All citizens should come together to put out the fire of the current tension so that there are no regrets because the conflict is getting bigger.
