KhmerTimes-June 13, 2025
The Ministry of Information has issued an official notice to all TV station owners in Cambodia about stopping the broadcasting of all types of Thai films from midnight on June 12, 2025 onwards. The ministry called on all TV station owners to implement this ban with a high sense of responsibility in order to adapt to the actual situation and protect national security. In addition, The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has issued a new notice announcing the suspension of import and screening of Thai films in all cinemas in Cambodia from 12 noon on June 13. The announcements followed a strongly worded social media post yesterday from Senate President Hun Sen, in which he proposed suspending the broadcast of Thai films on Cambodian television and potentially halting the import of Thai goods in response to escalating tensions with Thailand. The former prime minister expressed concern over what he described as growing hostility from Thai extremist groups, allegedly supported by pro-war military factions, including threats to cut off electricity and internet access to Cambodia. He dismissed these threats as ineffective, noting that Cambodia neither relies on Thai electricity nor lacks internet infrastructure. He warned against the spillover of military tensions from one area into unrelated sectors, pointing to a series of recent actions by Thai authorities that he viewed as aggressive and unilateral. These included temporary border closures, restrictions on the duration of stay for Cambodian visitors, threats to disrupt utilities, and what he characterized as unauthorized movements at border checkpoints. In response, Mr Hun Sen called on the Royal Government of Cambodia to consider taking stronger measures. Read more at:
