សង្រ្គាមកម្ពុជា-ថៃ ឆ្នាំ២០២៥៖ ប្រតិបត្តិការផ្លូវចិត្ត (PSYOPs)

 The Cambodia-Thailand War of 2025 :  Psychological Operations (PSYOPs)



Below is an analysis of the psychological operations (PSYOPs) employed during the Cambodia-Thailand War of 2025, a brief but intense conflict from July 24 to July 28. PSYOPs, military strategies aimed at influencing emotions, motives, and behavior, were pivotal in shaping perceptions among domestic populations, enemy forces, and the international community. Drawing on historical tensions, nationalist sentiments, and modern digital tools, both nations deployed sophisticated campaigns to advance their objectives.



Psychological Operations in the Cambodia-Thailand War of 2025



Overview



The Cambodia-Thailand War of 2025, sparked by long-standing border disputes likely centered on the Preah Vihear Temple, saw both nations leverage psychological operations (PSYOPs) to influence morale and perceptions. Lasting from July 24 to July 28, the conflict blended traditional propaganda with cutting-edge digital tactics, reflecting the evolution of warfare in the information age.


Cambodia’s PSYOPs Strategy


Objectives


  • Unify Domestic Support: Rally the population by framing Thailand as an aggressor infringing on Cambodian sovereignty.

  • Undermine Thai Morale: Portray Cambodia as resilient and internationally backed, particularly by China, to weaken Thai resolve.

  • Gain Global Sympathy: Position Cambodia as a victim to secure international condemnation of Thailand.




Tactics


  • Historical Framing: State media and social platforms like X aired narratives of Thai “expansionism,” citing the 1962 ICJ ruling on Preah Vihear and past disputes like 2008–2011.


  • Victimhood Narrative: Prime Minister Hun Sen and officials highlighted Thai “war crimes,” such as airstrikes on schools, while downplaying incidents like the July 24 rocket attack that killed Thai civilians as defensive acts.


  • Digital Disinformation: AI-generated deepfake videos depicted Thai soldiers committing atrocities, spreading rapidly on TikTok and Telegram before being debunked.



Alliance Signaling: Cambodia showcased Chinese support, including the Golden Dragon 2025 exercises and QW-3 systems, to bolster domestic confidence and deter Thailand.


Impact


  • Domestic Effect: Nationalist sentiment surged, though civilian displacement (134,707 people) strained morale.


  • International Reach: The victim narrative gained UN attention, but disinformation tactics reduced credibility.



  • Thai Response: Limited impact on Thai military morale, though civilian doubts about the war’s justification grew.



Thailand’s PSYOPs Strategy


Objectives


  • Legitimize Actions: Present military moves as defensive responses to Cambodian provocations, like alleged UAV incursions.


  • Demoralize Cambodia: Emphasize Thai military superiority to convince Cambodian forces of the futility of resistance.


  • Maintain Global Standing: Frame Thailand as a regional stabilizer to counter Cambodia’s narrative.


Tactics



  • Superiority Propaganda: Precision strikes, such as the July 24 command post destruction, were publicized with hashtags like #ThaiStrength, alongside leaflets warning of “inevitable defeat.”


  • Nationalist Appeals: Media revisited the 1907 French map as evidence of historical injustice, fueling domestic support.


  • Counter-Narratives: Thailand accused Cambodia of using human shields, releasing contested satellite imagery of artillery near civilian sites.


  • Alliance Leverage: As a U.S. non-NATO ally, Thailand highlighted Cobra Gold 2025 to signal international backing.


Impact


  • Domestic Effect: Public support peaked after territorial gains like Phu Makeua, though political instability from a leaked call involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disrupted unity.


  • International Effect: Defensive claims found some ASEAN support, but cluster munition use and civilian deaths drew criticism.


  • Cambodian Response: Cambodian forces remained resilient, bolstered by terrain and Chinese aid, limiting Thai PSYOPs’ psychological toll.


Comparative Analysis


  • Domestic Mobilization: Both nations effectively stoked nationalism, though Cambodia faced greater challenges due to economic and humanitarian pressures.


  • Enemy Impact: Neither significantly broke the other’s military morale, with physical and diplomatic factors outweighing psychological efforts.


  • Global Perception: Cambodia’s victimhood resonated more broadly, but Thailand’s ethical lapses and instability hampered its narrative.


  • Digital Influence: Cambodia’s deepfakes had short-term success but long-term costs, while Thailand’s imagery lacked decisive sway.



Conclusion



In the Cambodia-Thailand War of 2025, PSYOPs were a critical tool for shaping narratives, leveraging history, nationalism, and technology. Cambodia’s victimhood strategy and Thailand’s dominance messaging each achieved partial success, yet neither decisively altered the conflict’s outcome. Their reliance on propaganda highlights the need for future dialogue to address root causes, lest such tensions flare again.








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