Electricity, Internet, Movies Strategic Tools In Cambodia-thailand Border Dispute

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, June 13 (Bernama) -- Amid ongoing border tensions with Thailand, Cambodia has moved to secure its own electricity and internet supply in response to threats of disconnection, with Prime Minister Hun Manet asserting that the Kingdom’s energy security will not be compromised.

The move followed reports circulating on social media alleging that certain Thai groups were pressuring authorities to cut electricity and internet services to Cambodia, after a fatal border clash in Preah Vihear province on May 28, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed.

“To avoid putting the Thai side in a difficult position regarding whether or when to proceed with a disconnection, Cambodia has decided to ensure its own electricity and internet supply,” Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the government to consider suspending the broadcast of Thai films and stopping the import of Thai goods.

“I have always called for the issue of military disputes not to spread in one region, to another and not to another sector. 

“If this is too much, I would like to advise the government that apart from the issue of (a)  lawsuit to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Cambodia should consider stopping all Thai films on Cambodian TV channels and may proceed to stop importing Thai goods to Cambodia,” Hun Sen, who is the current President of the Senate, said on his Facebook posting on Thursday. 

Cambodia and Thailand will be holding the Joint Border Commission meeting on June 14, where the sensitive border issue will be discussed at length. 

In another social media post this morning, Hun Sen outlined six additional measures if Thailand refuses to reopen the border checkpoints, Fresh News reported.

These include: the suspension of imported Thai goods; purchasing agricultural products that Cambodians export to Thailand; seeking medical treatment in local hospitals or other countries; preparing for the return of migrant workers; placing the armed forces on full alert; and getting border-area residents ready to evacuate to safer zones.

-- BERNAMA