Opinion: Cambodian Soldiers Stand for Sovereignty — Thai Troops Stumble into Shame

Opinion: Cambodian Soldiers Stand for Sovereignty — Thai Troops Stumble into Shame

Performers hold a massive Cambodian flag aloft before a football solidarity match, held at the National Olympic Stadium on July 19. Supplied

The Phnom Penh Post | As tensions rise along the Cambodia–Thailand border, the true character of each nation’s armed forces is becoming increasingly clear. While Thai soldiers grapple with falling morale and lost confidence, Thailand’s Second Army Region has attempted to salvage national pride by imitating Cambodia — calling recently on Thai citizens to sing the national anthem in a show of patriotism and moral support for their troops.

This move, while symbolic, lacks authenticity. Unlike Cambodia, where unity between the people, the government and the armed forces is built on genuine love for the nation, Thailand’s gesture feels like an orchestrated performance — an imitation of something real, without the soul that gives it meaning.

On 18 June and again on 19 July, Cambodian citizens across the country marched in solidarity with their soldiers on the frontline. They sang patriotic songs not out of obligation, but from the heart — expressing national pride and gratitude to those who defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity. These powerful displays were neither political spectacles nor state mandates, but sincere acts of unity and support.

In contrast, Thailand’s military — despite its aggressive posturing — seeks to copy Cambodia’s spirit without understanding its source. Even in cultural expressions, such as the belief in sacred Khmer tattoos, Thai soldiers attempt to borrow symbolism they neither originate nor truly respect. But spirit cannot be stolen, and the courage to defend one’s land cannot be replicated by ceremony alone.

There is a fundamental difference between a soldier who defends his homeland and one who crosses the line to provoke. Cambodian soldiers carry out their duty with pride, dignity and a deep sense of patriotism. They are respected by their people and honoured for their role in safeguarding peace and sovereignty. Thai soldiers, on the other hand, acting under a banner of provocation and unfounded claims, earn neither respect nor legitimacy. Their actions are not seen as service to their country, but as aggression without honour.

A soldier’s job should be one of defence, not domination. When military force is misused to provoke neighbours and violate borders, it loses its nobility. Cambodian soldiers have the moral high ground because they fight not to take, but to protect. That is why their morale remains strong — and why they are embraced by a grateful nation.

The dignity of a soldier lies in the cause he defends. Cambodian soldiers stand to protect our borders, our peace and our people. Thai soldiers, by contrast, have been implicated in provocations, border aggressions and violations of international norms. The world sees through these actions — understanding the difference between defenders of sovereignty and those who provoke conflict.

Thailand may try to mimic Cambodia’s national unity, but patriotism cannot be staged. What Cambodia shows the world today is a nation standing proud, firm, and united — not just in song, but in spirit.

Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views and opinions expressed are his own.