Crime Tensions Explode: Thai Boxer Hits Cambodian Worker After Deadly Military Clash

[webfact]

Picture via Facebook/ ข่าววงไหน ตลาดล่างนิวส์

 

A viral video of a former Thai boxing star slapping a Cambodian worker in a market has ignited fears of escalating ethnic violence. The incident comes in the wake of a deadly clash between Thai and Cambodian forces on July 24. Anger is brewing online, with many condemning the ex-boxer’s actions as reckless and inflammatory.

 

Earlier today, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health announced that 12 Thai nationals were killed in attacks by the Cambodian military, including a soldier and numerous innocent civilians. A 15-year-old boy was among the tragic victims, further intensifying the country's grief and anger.

 

Reports from Thailand’s Army Region 2 indicate that the Cambodian military appeared to target civilians deliberately, hitting a hospital, a residential area in Surin province, and a convenience store at a petrol station in Sisaket province. The strikes on these civilian areas have drawn widespread outrage and condemnation across Thailand.

 

In response to the attacks, some Thai netizens and online influencers have dangerously called for retaliation against Cambodians in Thailand. Suggestions range from urging police to arrest undocumented Cambodian workers to advocating for more extreme measures.

 

Amid this tense atmosphere, the unnamed former boxer posted a video of himself confronting Cambodian workers in a market.

 

Picture via Facebook/ ข่าววงไหน ตลาดล่างนิวส์

 

In the footage, he implores one worker to speak with Cambodian soldiers to halt attacks on Thai civilians and coerces another to condemn the military actions on camera. When one man smiled instead of speaking, the boxer slapped him in frustration, issuing a verbal warning that Cambodian soldiers might escape punishment, but their compatriots in Thailand would not.

 

The video sparked widespread condemnation online, with many Thais criticising the boxer for inflaming already tense relations. Emphasising the potential consequences, some pointed out that retaliatory actions could endanger the numerous Thai nationals living and working in Cambodia.

 

In response to the backlash, the ex-boxer removed the video from his Facebook account; however, he has not yet made a public apology or clarified his actions. Concerns remain high as to whether this incident might escalate tensions further.

 

As the situation develops, many express hope for a peaceful resolution and stress the importance of leaving conflict management to authorities rather than individuals resorting to violence.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-25

 

 

[daveAustin]

Nothing to do with him, chum. Go target his country’s government/army. 

[KhunBENQ]

I am not surprised that this happened but also hope it will not be widespread.

Ultranationalist idiots (not a rare species) heated by the propaganda machinery loosing temper and searching scapegoats.

[Packer]

Send him to the front line ASAP. 

[Gottfrid]

Total idiot! A coward that tries to blame a single individual, instead of offering his services to clean up mines at the border.

[Patong2021]

Cambodians  get to be victimized again ,now for the 4th time;

1st: By being forced to leave Cambodia to work in Thailand.

2nd: By Thai immigration apparatus as they try to obtain work visas

3rd: By having to work in crappy jobs and most likely exploited by Thai employers

4th: Now by petty Thai bullies.

[quake]

What a nasty pea brain, thug. 

[save the frogs]

maybe not that safe for cambodians living in thailand.

it's to be expected whenever there are political tensions. 

 

[Will B Good]

35 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Cambodians  get to be victimized again ,now for the 4th time;

1st: By being forced to leave Cambodia to work in Thailand.

2nd: By Thai immigration apparatus as they try to obtain work visas

3rd: By having to work in crappy jobs and most likely exploited by Thai employers

4th: Now by petty Thai bullies.

 

Interesting....

 

1. How are they forced to leave Cambodia to work in Thailand and by whom?

2. We all face an uphill struggle with Thai immigration to be fair

3. Similar to 1, Thais 'have to do' crappy jobs in Saudi, Israel, South Korea.....this is not a Thai issue per se

4. The incident is ridiculous and I would agree, just a stupid bully......but every country is knee deep in stupid bullies.

[garygooner]

Former Thai boxer down to his last brain cell. 

[lordgrinz]

Expect this to get worse, Cambodian workers need to think long an hard on if they wish to stay here, might not be worth the risk. This anti-Cambodian rhetoric is bound to grow.

[RandolphGB]

Thailand is shooting itself in the foot. They rely on Cambodian laborers to fill manual jobs. The construction industry has many.

 

Burmese workers will replace them but many Thai products are still heavily connected to Cambodia.

 

Just take a few examples:

• Carabao energy drink. Cambodia accounted for 35% of its sales in 2024.
• The big publicly listed hospitals in Thailand count Cambodians as a significant market.
• Bangkok Airways has routes to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

 

These kind of prejudices last a lifetime and they will be harmful to the economy of both countries. 

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to the attacks, some Thai netizens and online influencers have dangerously called for retaliation against Cambodians in Thailand.

Maybe they should consider their actions a little more carefully..

attacking Cambodians in Thailand who have nothing to do with this action is senseless violence.

Cambodians may take it upon themselves to do like wise to Thais working in Cambodia.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe they should consider their actions a little more carefully..

attacking Cambodians in Thailand who have nothing to do with this action is senseless violence.

Cambodians may take it upon themselves to do like wise to Thais working in Cambodia.

 

Oh they will do.

 

The Thais here (my village) are all wound up and ready to fight to the death over this......don't laugh.....they even had a meeting about it last night.

[wensiensheng]

It’s how genocide starts….

[parallelman]

This and the other thread (activists searching for Cambodians) reminds me of the 'Thai road rage' syndrome. If the border conflict contues that's what I expect 'Thai bullies' will sink to.

[arick]

Time to being  back to caning  them 

[pacovl46]

Riiiiiiiiight. Like that worker has anything to do with it. If you’re so tough then go to the border and fight, instead of choosing victims that first of all, have nothing to do with it and secondly you know they won’t stand a chance against you. You’re nothing, but a coward! 

[Hellfire]

 Nationalism feels powerful and unifying—until it comes face to face with another nationalism. That’s when the real trouble begins. Nationalism, by its very nature, cannot resolve even the smallest territorial dispute with another form of itself. When two national identities claim the same land or legacy, compromise becomes nearly impossible. It takes other ideologies—ones that transcend exclusive identity, like liberalism and international cooperation—to step in and find a solution.

[ChipButty]

If he wants to fight Im sure the army could find him some combat gear and a spare M-16 send im to the boarder, let see how brave he is then, 

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Total idiot! A coward that tries to blame a single individual, instead of offering his services to clean up mines at the border.

 Very much so.

Would be a step in the right direction!

[MarkBR]

Sensible people can distinguish between individuals of a country & the government of that country.

You can condemn a govt s action yet be friendly still to all but the most ardent supporters of that Govt..

[black tabby12345]

7 hours ago, Packer said:

Send him to the front line ASAP. 

 

Constant fear of getting dispatched.

The best wake up call for this idiot.

 

[merck]

 

[black tabby12345]

 

many condemning the ex-boxer’s actions as reckless and inflammatory.

 

Good to know quite a few people still retain their reason and sense of justice during the ongoing conflict.

[black tabby12345]

A viral video of a former Thai boxing star slapping a Cambodian worker in a market has ignited fears of escalating ethnic violence.

 

Ex boxing star turned out to be the idiotic coward violating an innocent individual not responsible for the death of fellow countryman.

[black tabby12345]

16 minutes ago, merck said:

 

 

Thank you for sharing this video.

[black tabby12345]

36 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

 

 

4 hours ago, garygooner said:

Former Thai boxer down to his last brain cell. 

 

Getting too many hits on  his head during his previous career?

[JamesPhuket10]

 

 

This is one of the reasons I keep my passport near and a few thousand pounds in cash and tens of thousands limit on credit cards handy, plus ATM cash in my bank accounts.

 

We farangs seem to forget we are only temporary visitors to Thailand as seen when we get out year by year non-immigration O visas extended, things can change at any time, we need to be in a position where we can escape at the drop of a hat.

 

I feel sorry for the Cambodian guy, he is just a poor worker not a politician. 

 

 

[JamesPhuket10]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Oh they will do.

 

The Thais here (my village) are all wound up and ready to fight to the death over this......don't laugh.....they even had a meeting about it last night.

 

That is one of the reasons I stay away from uneducated people in backward villages, all the ones with brains would have already left for a better life, the dumb ones stay.

 

I have had first hand experience of it in the past, but luckily for only a few days at a time while on visits.