July 31, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia and Thailand clashed over their border conflict for five consecutive days from July 24 to 28, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 soldiers and civilians and the displacement of more than 200,000 people in both countries. A ceasefire was reached following mediation by Malaysia, which currently serves as ASEAN chair, and the US, with China also closely observing and supporting the mediation effort. The ceasefire was set to begin at midnight on July 28, 2025, with both parties continuing discussions on the conditions of the ceasefire in the following days, July 29 and August 4.
The ceasefire has brought great relief to both nations, as an extended war would have caused even greater damage to both sides, affecting the lives and livelihoods of many people. The ceasefire has also opened the door for diplomacy, offering a pathway toward mutual understanding and respect. At this critical time after the confrontation has subsided, it is important to look ahead and ask one key question: What’s next for Cambodia?
With the ceasefire still fragile and considering the uncertainty surrounding the border conflict, Cambodia must remain constantly vigilant and prepared for any potential threats or unforeseen circumstances. One key challenge to overcome is the prevalence of misinformation, mainly spread by major Thai media to continue to present distorted information about the border conflict, falsely painting Cambodia as the aggressor and Thailand as the victim. Even after the ceasefire was reached, some Thai media outlets continue to spread distorted and misleading information that will harm the fragile relationship between both countries.
Thus, while it is important for Cambodia to continue to fight disinformation and expose the Thai media’s lies and present factual accounts of the conflict to the international community, the country needs to look forward to building back better.
Moving forward, three key areas need to be taken into account to support Cambodia’s ongoing development, especially after the border conflict. These critical areas include media and digital literacy, education, research and innovation.
Developing media and digital literacy
First, Cambodia and its citizens from all walks of life need to fight the disinformation war, or fake news, that continues to be spread by some Thai media despite the ceasefire. The disinformation about the conflict circulated on social media contributes nothing to ceasefire efforts and the need to establish positive relations between the two countries. It only adds fuel to the flames, causing confusion and deepening mistrust. It also prevents a mutual understanding, particularly in times of conflict.
While the fight against disinformation and fake news needs to continue and should be amplified, it is critical to look ahead to develop media and digital literacy as well as the media sector in Cambodia. This involves improving media and digital literacy among ordinary citizens, especially youth, supporting Cambodian journalists and reporters in improving their knowledge and skills, and supporting students majoring in media and communication to become competent and professional media workers. Media and digital literacy need to be integrated into school curricula, while training programmes on fact-checking and fake news combating mechanisms should be regularly provided.
A media-literate society will be a more resilient society in times of uncertainty and conflict like the current one. Citizens with strong media and digital literacy can deal effectively with wartime propaganda, fake narratives and disinformation campaigns. They can also respond rationally in times of crisis. This is critical to present accurate accounts of what is really happening on the ground.
Strengthening the education sector
Second, as Cambodia and Thailand have engaged in their complex relationship for centuries, it is important for Cambodia to be strong in all sectors to withstand potential threats from Thailand and, by extension, from other neighbouring countries. With Cambodia’s education system still weak — constrained by various challenges such as limited infrastructure and funding — it is essential to invest in reforming and developing it to ensure it can develop the human capital required to drive Cambodia’s socioeconomic development and prepare for unforeseen future crises.
While there have been notable improvements in the education sector, both in general and higher education, over the last few decades, issues regarding access, quality and governance, as well as disparities between rural and urban areas, need to be adequately addressed. No doubt, it will be through education that Cambodia can become great again. It is through education that Cambodia will become united, strong and future-ready. Education, particularly military and advanced technology education, as well as moral values and patriotism, must be Cambodia’s highest national priority.
In the context of globalisation, a knowledge-based economy and global competition, Cambodia needs to strengthen its human capital in order to stay relevant and competitive in the region and the wider world. Complacency is not an option. Remaining weak and underdeveloped is not an option either. Quality education will equip Cambodians, especially the younger generation who are the hope of the country, with the essential knowledge and skills — including critical thinking, problem-solving and technological skills — required to contribute to national development and defend the country’s sovereignty in times of foreign aggression and invasion.
Promoting research and innovation
Third, research and innovation should be another critical area that receives the utmost attention in any national policies and strategic plans. Although the National Research Agenda and phase one of the Pentagonal Strategy recognise the importance of education and research, more attention and greater investment in knowledge sector development are needed. As Cambodia aspires to become an upper-middle income and eventually a high-income country in the next few decades, education and research must be prioritised. In fact, they should be treated as a national necessity.
With a strong research culture, Cambodia’s research and innovation capacity — supported by its state institutions, universities, think tanks and research institutes — will be enhanced, allowing it to benefit from evidence-based policymaking and research-based strategic national planning. This is critical in times of constant geopolitical uncertainties caused by global power competition and aggression by regional powers or more powerful neighbours.
There is a strong need to invest in research not as an academic luxury but as a tool for national innovation, survival and sustainability. Research will be useful in understanding cross-border dynamics and root causes of border conflicts, anticipating future opportunities and threats, improving national defence strategies and formulating more effective public policies that will contribute to continued peace and sustainable development.
Research and publication in international venues, particularly by Cambodian researchers and writers, can showcase the Cambodian realities, help correct misperceptions about Cambodia and allow Cambodians to tell the Cambodian stories to the world.
In this regard, collective efforts and government initiatives should prioritise the establishment of national research funds, the development of quality research centres or institutes and the strengthening of existing research institutions such as the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
Research that focuses on strategic studies, defence strategies, education reforms, applied science and technology, agricultural development and digital governance should receive the highest priority. Building a strong research culture in humanities and social sciences is equally important to capitalise on Cambodia’s rich and amazing cultural heritage.
Through research, a greater understanding of Cambodia’s glorious history will be established, and good lessons can be drawn from Cambodia’s historical greatness. These will establish a roadmap for developing a prosperous and resilient Cambodian society.
Through research, partnerships and collaborations with regional and international actors will also be strengthened, allowing for capacity development among local stakeholders, such as academic leaders, researchers, and students. The opportunities for capacity building are critical to developing competent higher education stakeholders who will contribute to Cambodia’s knowledge sector and drive national development.
A Call to Action for Cambodia’s Prosperous and Sustainable Future
As the border conflict has cooled and the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is set to return to normalcy, it is the right time for Cambodia to plan for the future. The Cambodian government and concerned stakeholders, including development partners, donor agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector, have done a great deal to elevate Cambodia’s socioeconomic development; however, more needs to be done to sustain ongoing peace and development and place Cambodia on the path toward sustainable development and a prosperous future.
Facing constant pressure from its more powerful neighbours, Cambodia has no choice but to build its national strength — militarily, economically and intellectually. It needs to develop itself into a stronger small state.
The confrontations with Thailand in 2008–2011 and again in 2025 are lessons learned for Cambodia and its citizens. With the ceasefire and the potential return to its peaceful relations with Thailand, Cambodia needs to respond to a wake-up call in this critical moment, a call that tells Cambodia that while peace is crucial, maintaining peace and avoiding bullying from its neighbours require national strength. It is only through strength in terms of military, economy and intelligence that Cambodia can stand on its own and successfully defend itself from potential threats and external aggression that may arise in the future.
To that end, while there is a myriad of issues that need state attention, the need to develop media and digital literacy, further strengthen the education sector, and promote research and innovation should be at the centre of the national agenda. Media and digital literacy will help combat disinformation; quality education will foster unity, informed citizenship, and development; and research and innovation will drive national competitiveness and sustainable development.
All in all, it is time for all stakeholders in Cambodia — the government, development partners, non-governmental organisations, civil society, the private sector and individuals — to rally behind a shared long-term vision for Cambodia’s national strength and resilient future. Media and digital literacy, quality education, and a strong research and innovation capacity must be placed at the heart of the national vision for the future.
The next generation of Cambodians will carry the country forward. They must be equipped with the knowledge, skills and values they need to safeguard our peace, develop our nation, defend our motherland and define our destiny.
Kimkong Heng is a Cambodian lecturer and researcher. He is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Cambodian Education Forum. The views and opinions expressed are his own.