Thai - Cambodia Conflict Cambodian Social Media Calls for Thai Product Boycott

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Picture courtesy of The Nation

 

A gust of nationalism has engulfed Cambodia as calls for a boycott of Thai products thunder through social media platforms. A clash along the Cambodian-Thai border has led to a spirited campaign urging Cambodians to ditch Thai brands in favour of local ones.

 

As reported by Nikkei Asia on 15 August, Thailand’s major players are taking the brunt of this backlash. From PTT petrol stations to Cafe Amazon, even fan favourites aren’t spared from the heat.

 

Hashtags like “Khmer Loves Khmer” and “Boycott Thai Products” are making waves, urging support for Cambodian businesses and intensifying pressure on Thai companies in the region.

 

Thai companies are facing significant challenges. PTT, a prominent petrol retailer with over 186 stations in Cambodia, has seen its branding covered up, leading to staggering sales. One worker reported a dive in daily customers from 500 to a mere 12.

 

The defence minister's brother, Tea Siem, plans to rebrand PTT stations as "Peace Petroleum Cambodia" to showcase strategic manoeuvres in response to the situation, reported The Nation.

 

Cafe Amazon isn’t faring any better. With 250 branches scattered across the nation, this PTT subsidiary faces similar challenges. Staff are reportedly hiding branding and avoiding work uniforms in public due to safety concerns.

 

It's not just the petrol and coffee giants under the spotlight; Carabao energy drink, CP Group’s 7-Eleven stores, and Siam Cement Group (SCG) are also caught in the nationalistic tide.

 

This fervour followed a violent bout of clashes in late July, which tragically resulted in at least 43 deaths.

 

Despite a ceasefire mediated by Malaysia, with support from the US and China, tensions simmer just beneath the surface. The region remains on high alert as both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-16