CAMBODIA A. Political Situations Even though Hun Sen stepped down from the premiership in 2023 and his eldest son, Hun Manet, succeeded him as prime minister, Hun Sen continues to dominate Cambodian politics. This has been evident in various contexts, especially during the 2025 border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, which erupted amid longstanding border tensions that have persisted for decades. His social media use, particularly on Facebook, serves as a key channel for messages that are widely regarded as the Cambodian government’s responses to the conflict78. He called for a boycott of strategic goods from Thailand, including electricity, internet services, fuel, and gas79, 80. He also ordered the suspension of all Thai dramas and other content Ghoshal, Devjyot, et al. “Cambodia’s Hun Sen at the Helm in Border Conflict With Thailand.” Reuters, 31 July 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodias-hun-sen-helm-border-conflict-withthailand-2025-07-31. 79. “Hun Sen Threatens to Close Border With Thailand, Ban Thai Products.” Thai PBS World, 16 June 2025, world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/hun-sen-threatens-to-close-border-with-thailand-ban-thai-products/57865. 80. “Thailand’s Measures Will Fail, Cambodia Will Survive: Hun Sen.” Bangkok Post, 21 June 2025, www. bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/3054587/thailands-measures-will-fail-cambodia-will-survive-hun-sen. 78. 25

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