Thailand Cambodia armed conflict -- where do western expats fit in this mess?

[Jingthing]

I won't call it a "war" yet and hopefully calmer heads will prevail very soon. However, they might not and right now it's rapidly headed in a very bad direction.

 

So I've been thinking about the situation of western expats both in Thailand and Cambodia especially if this drags on and on and gets much worse.

 

My opinion is that expats should be as invisible as possible about all this. 

 

We're not Thai and we're not Cambodian.

 

It's really none of our business. It's not like Russia vs. Ukraine which has very specific meanings to very many westerners.

 

Whatever the political narratives are on both sides, it seems to me that they have nothing to do with us.

 

It occurs to me that NATURALLY long term expats in Thailand are going to side with Thailand just out of affinity and that expats in Cambodia will naturally do the same. Not because of believing or not believing the opposing political narratives, but just because we are here and they are there.

 

That's kind of an odd situation, don't you think?

[KhunLA]

We don't fit in at all.  As stated, not Thai nor Cambodian.  Same with RU & UA, as neither nationality.  It's their problem not ours.

[daveAustin]

We don’t figure anywhere into it. They’re hardly going to invade a more powerful country with fighter jets.  One doesn’t have to be invisible, just go about your daily business. 
 

Personally think all soldiers should stand down and the troublemaking politicians fight it out. 

[blaze master]

32 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

We don't fit in at all.  As stated, not Thai nor Cambodian.  Same with RU & UA, as neither nationality.  It's their problem not ours.

 

I see you got the Boo hoo you countered my personal opinion point emoji. Hahaaha.

 

[EVENKEEL]

I think all the SAS boys in Patts should stand tall and lend a hand.

[HappyExpat57]

Remember that Aussie at Victory Monument vocally advocating something (I forget what side he was on but it doesn't matter) during the protests where armed soldiers were walking around Bangkok?

 

That's exactly what NOT to do.

[impulse]

5 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Remember that Aussie at Victory Monument vocally advocating something (I forget what side he was on but it doesn't matter) during the protests where armed soldiers were walking around Bangkok?

 

That's exactly what NOT to do.

 

I don't know.  Was there any follow up?  Did he score with the cute chick he was trying to impress?

 

[KhunBENQ]

Hang a Cambodian flag and wait what happens.

 

NOT!!

[KhunBENQ]

44 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Remember that Aussie at Victory Monument vocally advocating something (I forget what side he was on but it doesn't matter) during the protests where armed soldiers were walking around Bangkok?

 

That's exactly what NOT to do.

Didn't he try to exceed the ultra royalists/nationalists? Yellower than yellow?

What a clown.

[KhunBENQ]

There are Cambodian, Russian and likely Ukrainian freelancers in Pattaya. Do your work for peace 🤣

[bendejo]

We keep our big farang noses out of it.  Went through that in Malaysia 20 years ago.

 

[Harrisfan]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's kind of an odd situation, don't you think?

Nothing odd. Joke with your girlfriend you are Cambodia and she is Thai.

[HappyExpat57]

34 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Didn't he try to exceed the ultra royalists/nationalists? Yellower than yellow?

What a clown.

All I remember is seeing a picture of him on the news, leaning by one hand from a light post, then seeing a short while after how he was invited to leave and never come back.

Clown doesn't begin to describe him.

[BangkokReady]

Western expats should probably just keep their heads down and stay out of it.

 

Not everything is about you.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I won't call it a "war" yet and hopefully calmer heads will prevail very soon. However, they might not and right now it's rapidly headed in a very bad direction.

 

So I've been thinking about the situation of western expats both in Thailand and Cambodia especially if this drags on and on and gets much worse.

 

My opinion is that expats should be as invisible as possible about all this. 

 

We're not Thai and we're not Cambodian.

 

It's really none of our business. It's not like Russia vs. Ukraine which has very specific meanings to very many westerners.

 

Whatever the political narratives are on both sides, it seems to me that they have nothing to do with us.

 

It occurs to me that NATURALLY long term expats in Thailand are going to side with Thailand just out of affinity and that expats in Cambodia will naturally do the same. Not because of believing or not believing the opposing political narratives, but just because we are here and they are there.

 

That's kind of an odd situation, don't you think?

If they only clash at the border, we will have no place in this. However, if a full blown war, we will have choices. Run away or stay and do what can to protect family as they already shown they target civilians. I am not running.

[thongplay]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I won't call it a "war" yet and hopefully calmer heads will prevail very soon. However, they might not and right now it's rapidly headed in a very bad direction.

 

So I've been thinking about the situation of western expats both in Thailand and Cambodia especially if this drags on and on and gets much worse.

 

My opinion is that expats should be as invisible as possible about all this. 

 

We're not Thai and we're not Cambodian.

 

It's really none of our business. It's not like Russia vs. Ukraine which has very specific meanings to very many westerners.

 

Whatever the political narratives are on both sides, it seems to me that they have nothing to do with us.

 

It occurs to me that NATURALLY long term expats in Thailand are going to side with Thailand just out of affinity and that expats in Cambodia will naturally do the same. Not because of believing or not believing the opposing political narratives, but just because we are here and they are there.

 

That's kind of an odd situation, don't you think?

Whatever you say China will (has) taken control over Cambodia and Thailand is next on the list. This is all Thaksin's doing in collaboration with  Hum Sen. (Opinion)

[novacova]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

We don't fit in at all.  As stated, not Thai nor Cambodian.  Same with RU & UA, as neither nationality.  It's their problem not ours.

Of course, not much of a concern at this point and nothing really to get excited about either.

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, thongplay said:

Whatever you say China will (has) taken control over Cambodia and Thailand is next on the list. This is all Thaksin's doing in collaboration with  Hum Sen. (Opinion)

Well your point is worth noting

If looking at this localized conflict in a wider world powers geopolical way it is true that Thailand is somewhat more closely allied with the USA or west and Cambodia is closely entangled with China. 

But keeping with my thesis here I don't think western expats are much engaged in that. I think a long term American expat in Cambodia is still going to identify with Cambodia in this conflict.  Of course if it becomes much bigger and different than it is now that could change.

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

If they only clash at the border, we will have no place in this. However, if a full blown war, we will have choices. Run away or stay and do what can to protect family as they already shown they target civilians. I am not running.

Yeah if it becomes a national thing beyond only the border expats will be forced into this.

[Jingthing]

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

We don't fit in at all.  As stated, not Thai nor Cambodian.  Same with RU & UA, as neither nationality.  It's their problem not ours.

In my opinion you are completely wrong.

Western expats in Russia and Ukraine are mostly highly engaged in that war. Even sometimes to the point of fighting. That war has deep Implications to the west. Thailand vs. Cambodia almost none.

 

[angryguy]

Well im leaving in a couple weeks. Cambodia is allowed to invade after i go

[Will B Good]

 

 

Considering the number of Special American Forces, both expats and tourists there are in Pattaya, there's no way the Cambodians can win.

[khunJam]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well your point is worth noting

If looking at this localized conflict in.a wider world powers geopolical way it is true that Thailand is somewhat more closely allied with the USA or west and Cambodia is closely entangled with China. 

But keeping with my thesis here I don't think western expats are much engaged in that. I think a long term American expat in Cambodia is still going to identify with Cambodia in this conflict.  Of course if it becomes much bigger and different than it is now that could change.

I agree with you for the most part except that just because someone is living in Cambodia doesn’t mean that they will side with Cambodia. Expats in Thailand on this forum are complaining about Thailand being in error.

[Ralf001]

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

 

My opinion is that expats should be as invisible as possible about all this. 

 

 

I'll just keep on with my daily life.

[Mr Meeseeks]

5 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I think all the SAS boys in Patts should stand tall and lend a hand.

 

We have all been contacted and are awaiting orders. 

[worgeordie]

The conflict seems to be expanding with fighting now in the Trat area,

the only Expats effected will be those vloggers,that go to the areas to

look for content....

 

regards worgeordie 

[hotandsticky]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I'll just keep on with my daily life.

 

 

Same old, same old then...............

[Ralf001]

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Same old, same old then...............

yeah.

[EVENKEEL]

5 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

We have all been contacted and are awaiting orders. 

Which beer bar has been delegated to take morning muster?

[Mr Meeseeks]

3 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Which beer bar has been delegated to take morning muster?

 

If I shared that I would be RTU'd. 

 

I’m SAS or nothing.