Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A statement by Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin has incited criticism from Thai social media users after he declared China’s support for Cambodia in "safeguarding its sovereignty." Posted on his Facebook page, the statement accompanied an image of him speaking at an event in Phnom Penh, reinforcing China’s commitment as a partner to Cambodia. This comment has heightened tensions, particularly amid ongoing border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

The phrase "safeguarding its national sovereignty" raised concerns among Thailand's online community, leading to a backlash on Wang’s page. Many Thai netizens questioned China’s involvement in regional disputes. Comments included speculations on whether President Xi Jinping would endorse such statements and criticisms over alleged military support to Cambodia, highlighting sensitive geopolitical issues.

 

Thai social media users also expressed concerns over the perceived role of Cambodia in illegal activities, such as call-centre scams impacting Thai citizens. Users emphasized Thailand’s stance on defending its sovereignty without aggression. Comments reflected a sentiment that Thailand should maintain its dignity and territorial integrity against external pressures.

 

Conversely, Cambodian netizens praised China’s supportive stance. Some expressed gratitude for China's role in Cambodia’s development and peace efforts, showcasing the divided regional reactions. As of Thursday morning, Wang's post received significant attention, with over 5,100 views, nearly 900 comments, and over 960 shares.

 

Looking forward, the Thai reaction suggests a call for reevaluating its foreign policy to safeguard national interests while balancing diplomatic relations. The post underscores a persistent geographic tension and highlights China's influential role in Southeast Asia's political landscape.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Chinese ambassador’s support of Cambodia has heightened Thai-Cambodian tensions.
• Thai netizens criticize China's influence in regional disputes and Cambodia's role in scams.
• Cambodian netizens express appreciation for China's ongoing support in national development.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-09

 

 

THailand is afraid the will loose their best friend China??? As China now shows that Thailand is not important enough anymore ??

China could be a very dangerous enemy, but far more dangerous as a friend.

Sure but if it's Trump who comes over to give geopolitcal lessons, the bootlicking will start..be it in Thailand or anyplace in Europe...

Give Thailand it's due, they will remain independant of China and the USA, they will walk the tightrope very well. Un like other leaders who will throw their country under the bus so they can keep their own power and not care about their own people.

32 minutes ago, stupidfarang said:

Give Thailand it's due, they will remain independant of China and the USA, they will walk the tightrope very well. Un like other leaders who will throw their country under the bus so they can keep their own power and not care about their own people.

Completely agree with you .

43 minutes ago, stupidfarang said:

Give Thailand it's due, they will remain independant of China and the USA, they will walk the tightrope very well. Un like other leaders who will throw their country under the bus so they can keep their own power and not care about their own people.

Hope so.

 

Meantime China trying to walk both sides of the road at once ... Won't work. Will have to choose sooner or later.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A statement by Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin has incited criticism from Thai social media users after he declared China’s support for Cambodia in "safeguarding its sovereignty."

As they own most of it and control the rest I guess they thought they had the right to speak up 

14 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand is afraid the will loose their best friend China???

 

Thailand can not be this stupid,they should worry more about an ovetaking of their country which is already happening.

3 hours ago, Homburg said:

China could be a very dangerous enemy, but far more dangerous as a friend.

Thailand does not need china .....

President Trump will see to that !   (  counting 1 Mississippi     2 Mississippi  3.... )

While Thais generally are suspicious of Chinese intentions there are those in the Thai hierarchy whose loyalty to China is greater than their loyalty to Thailand, sadly.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

While Thais generally are suspicious of Chinese intentions there are those in the Thai hierarchy whose loyalty to China is greater than their loyalty to Thailand, sadly.

 

You are definitely right on that one IMHO

5 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

Give Thailand it's due, they will remain independant of China and the USA, they will walk the tightrope very well. Un like other leaders who will throw their country under the bus so they can keep their own power and not care about their own people.

Until China, and US, withdraw all financial , industrial, military, etc support for Thailand, where will Thailand be then....already many international companies are leaving, or plan on leaving, Thailand, along with tourists... Thailand's economy will collapse. Thailand will have to submit to Chinese, and/or US development.

6 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Hope so.

 

Meantime China trying to walk both sides of the road at once ... Won't work. Will have to choose sooner or later.

 

For reference Khmer Times 8th October 2025:-

 

China has nearly completed assembling one of two new frigates to be given to Cambodia under the “China’s Military Aid to Cambodia” project, with the first vessel reportedly close to 100% completion.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501768879/china-built-warship-for-cambodia-almost-complete/

 

Will be ready and operational for anti-submarine operations should the Thai sub ever be completed!

21 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand is afraid the will loose their best friend China??? As China now shows that Thailand is not important enough anymore ??

It's the Motherland 😆 

8 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Sure but if it's Trump who comes over to give geopolitcal lessons, the bootlicking will start..be it in Thailand or anyplace in Europe...

All Kings & Gods get bootlicked

Seriously why doesn't Thailand give Cambodia the land they want, that is if it's actually Thais to give away in the first place. How much per day is the Thai Government wasting. The money could be spent on people in the poor areas. Thailand had no qualms taking land from the Brits when they moved out of Malaya

I think Thailand needs to wake up to the fact that nobody outside of Thailand thinks that the Thai claims to those disputed areas have any merit. Khmer temples, on Khmer territory, as the ICJ has ruled not once but TWICE.

On 10/9/2025 at 4:29 PM, snoop1130 said:

Conversely,

China might gain political support from Cambodia regarding China's claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea versus Thailand that has no claim, albeit Thailand has expressed support for China when China's claims were rejected by an international tribunal in The Hague.

As the 2022 ASEAN Chair, Cambodia played a vital role in the negotiation process to finalize the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. 

12 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

Give Thailand it's due, they will remain independant of China and the USA,

Thailand is not independent of the USA. The reasons therefor arent appropriate for this forum

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

I think Thailand needs to wake up to the fact that nobody outside of Thailand thinks that the Thai claims to those disputed areas have any merit. Khmer temples, on Khmer territory, as the ICJ has ruled not once but TWICE.

The ICJ has only ruled on Preah Vihear and the immediate area surrounding it (about 350 square meters). Nothing else.

On 10/9/2025 at 4:29 PM, snoop1130 said:

A statement by Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin has incited criticism from Thai social media users after he declared China’s support for Cambodia in "safeguarding its sovereignty." Posted on his Facebook page, the statement accompanied an image of him speaking at an event in Phnom Penh, reinforcing China’s commitment as a partner to Cambodia. This comment has heightened tensions, particularly amid ongoing border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

The phrase "safeguarding its national sovereignty" raised concerns among Thailand's online community, leading to a backlash on Wang’s page. Many Thai netizens questioned China’s involvement in regional disputes. Comments included speculations on whether President Xi Jinping would endorse such statements and criticisms over alleged military support to Cambodia, highlighting sensitive geopolitical issues.

While it's funny Chinese ambassador uses tool specifically prohibited in China, Thailand could also emphasize the safeguarding of the national sovereignty of Taiwan, when at it... 

11 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

While Thais generally are suspicious of Chinese intentions there are those in the Thai hierarchy whose loyalty to China is greater than their loyalty to Thailand, sadly.

Not exactly. Their  love of China is in respect to their own financial benefit. The day, they can no longer  profit from a relationship with China, they will become great Thai patriots.

4 hours ago, Myran said:

The ICJ has only ruled on Preah Vihear and the immediate area surrounding it (about 350 square meters). Nothing else.

 

Indeed. And that scared Thailand enough to announce that they won't agree to let the ICJ decide on any further disputes.

13 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Indeed. And that scared Thailand enough to announce that they won't agree to let the ICJ decide on any further disputes.

Yeah, which only makes sense. In the end, it's a matter of opinion. The majority of the ICJ thought that Thailand had waited too long in protesting the incorrect map, and Thailand naturally doesn't agree. To then let the ICJ rule on further border issues wouldn't make sense, and is not something any country would do.

20 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Thailand can not be this stupid,they should worry more about an ovetaking of their country which is already happening.

So true, why use a gun when you can use commerce. Example, we buy on line from China, goods shipped by Chinese own freight service arrives in Thailand then delivered by courier's (Kerry chinese owned), money goes back to China. Here in the south of Thailand, so many new wharehouses built in the last two years, owned by Chinese who are buying the durian from the farmers (cutting out the local buyers/exporters) then loaded on to Chinese owned freight trucks and taken back to China. The whole process is owned by Chinese, profits go back to China.

15 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Until China, and US, withdraw all financial , industrial, military, etc support for Thailand, where will Thailand be then....already many international companies are leaving, or plan on leaving, Thailand, along with tourists... Thailand's economy will collapse. Thailand will have to submit to Chinese, and/or US development.

I do not think they will submit, to proud. No reason why they cannot exsit as a poor nation and retain their "Face". They also have a huge gold reserve which they started building up after the crash in the 70's. Countries are waking up to the fact that they need to have a solid substance (gold) that has value unlike printed money, China is now the biggest buyer of gold wheres the USA is printing more paper money. They do need to fix there country, have a better education system that teaches the subjects to fit the world requirements, have a clear thought out policys that are not announced today then changed /reverse tomorrow. Maybe take a good look at what countrys around them (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam) are doing and hand pick things from each that could be transfered into Thailand, things are changing in Thailand with the younger generation, they want change, yet it will take years for it to happen due to the old guard.

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Thailand is not independent of the USA. The reasons therefor arent appropriate for this forum

Why not appropriate? Can people not have freedom to talk, discuss ideas put forward there views? You do know that we are living in Thailand and not trumps america?

2 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

Why not appropriate? Can people not have freedom to talk, discuss ideas put forward there views? You do know that we are living in Thailand and not trumps america?

There Are Rules here, perhaps you should read them instead of spewing your Trump Obsession everywhere

5 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

I do not think they will submit, to proud. No reason why they cannot exsit as a poor nation and retain their "Face". They also have a huge gold reserve which they started building up after the crash in the 70's. Countries are waking up to the fact that they need to have a solid substance (gold) that has value unlike printed money, China is now the biggest buyer of gold wheres the USA is printing more paper money. They do need to fix there country, have a better education system that teaches the subjects to fit the world requirements, have a clear thought out policys that are not announced today then changed /reverse tomorrow. Maybe take a good look at what countrys around them (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam) are doing and hand pick things from each that could be transfered into Thailand, things are changing in Thailand with the younger generation, they want change, yet it will take years for it to happen due to the old guard.

There would be a civil war, it has come cost a few times..many Thais are pissed off, and rightly so, with the government/military, and the worsening economy.