The Japanese Embassy in Bangkok probably didn’t see it coming.
Yesterday, 11 September, 2025, after the Embassy posted a comment from the Japan Foreign Affairs Spokesperson regarding Japan’s support for the planned reopening of some border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border (which is now being opposed by some Thais, including the popular Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang), the embassy came under fervent attack by ultra-nationalist Thais on its Facebook page.
This came after the Japanese government proposed that Thailand and Cambodia consider discussing the reopening of certain border crossings to allow for the transport of essential goods and maintain the security of the supply chain.
A large number of Thai ultra-nationalists have since commented on the Japanese Embassy in Thailand’s Facebook page. They’ve criticised the Japanese government’s stance, with many expressing disappointment and some demanding an explanation from Japan.
Thanavadee Pauw posted the following comment below the Japanese Embassy’s post in Thai; it attracted over 500 likes after 15 hours. Here is the English translation.
”Is this a great friend [of Thailand] for over 400 years? So, you see the sovereignty of Thailand as a business to line your own pockets, do you? Are you a friend or a foe? You moved your factories to Cambodia on your own, didn’t you? For cheaper labour than in Thailand. You have to be responsible for your own business, not Thailand.
”What does your business have to do with Thai sovereignty? Do you want Thai people to boycott your products? Do we Thais have to go back to singing ‘Made in Thailand’ again? … And when Thailand lost the Preah Vihear temple, one of the committee members who voted for the temple to belong to Cambodia was Japan. You never came to see the geographical conditions even once to see what kind of terrain the temple is on. The words ‘friend’ and ‘foe’ sound similar but have different meanings. Don’t interfere with the sovereignty of Thailand. Every country should respect the sovereignty of other nations. Opening the border is like supporting scammers, call centres, and casinos, giving the Hun Sen family money to buy weapons to harm the Thai people.”
Another Thai, Arisa Chatharaboontha, posted the following message in Thai on the Japanese Embassy’s Facebook page. This one attracted over 1,600 likes as of 11 am today, a day after.
”To the Government of Japan
Regarding the recent events, Cambodia has used heavy weapons, which resulted in the death of Thai people. Missiles and other heavy weapons remain in Cambodia’s possession, and they are capable of firing them at Thai communities. They may also use long-range missiles to strike military bases and industrial factories in Thailand’s eastern region, including those belonging to Japan and other countries.
”Thailand has therefore had to close the border to pressure Cambodia into ceasing its policy of military violence, bombing, and the accumulation and movement of heavy weapons near the Thai border, as well as its opportunistic and hostile military actions against Thailand. This measure is also intended to expedite successful border demarcation negotiations.
”The Japanese Ambassador is directly interfering in the conflict using trade, without understanding the security implications for the Kingdom of Thailand. This makes Thailand’s tactical operations extremely difficult and causes distress and fear among Thai people in the border areas who rely on the highest level of protection from Thailand’s security forces.
”We would like the Government of Japan and the Ambassador to exercise greater prudence in your stance and to avoid pressuring for an abrupt end to the conflict. You should use the alternative shipping routes that already exist for sending goods to Cambodia, such as seaports and airports, and take responsibility not to compromise any of Thailand’s security policies during this dangerous time.
”Furthermore, prioritising your business interests by requesting the reopening of land border crossings may come at the cost of the lives of Thai people and Thai soldiers, as well as the risk of Cambodian missiles striking your factories and those of other countries in the eastern region. Please do not forget that Cambodian military spies and illegal labourers can infiltrate the Kingdom of Thailand via cross-border cargo trucks.”
Such strong sentiments by ultra-nationalist Thais are regrettable and counter-productive. It risks alienating Japan, one of Thailand’s key allies and trade partners.
Thais need to be mindful. The fact that a third country, which is Japan, wants Thailand to reopen its border again means that the months-long closure is starting to severely affect the supply chains of Japanese companies in Thailand and Cambodia. If the new Anutin Charnveerakul administration doesn’t respond quickly and lets the Thai military and these netizens dictate the border policy, it risks impacting not just Japanese business and investment in Thailand, but Thai employees of those Japanese factories and companies.
Thais who are still not overcome by ultra-nationalism should publicly demand that the border be reopened for goods and for business people who can prove their activities are legitimate, not part of the grey economy such as call centre scammers or casinos in Cambodia. Regarding concerns that Thais might go to casinos or work for call centre gangs, any Thai person wishing to cross the land border should be required to provide evidence that they have a legitimate business or trade to do in Cambodia, and vice versa.
Anyone who cannot prove this should not be allowed to cross for now – in order to placate the Thai ultra-nationalists.
If those in Thai society who are still able to think independently and critically remain silent, the Thai economy will ultimately be hit with a massive impact.
Japanese businesses in Thailand are already suffering and being severely affected. That’s why the Japanese Foreign Ministry had to step forward and make a public request, which has caused a backlash by ultra-nationalist Thai netizens.
We should not and cannot allow petty ultra-nationalism to cloud our judgement and damage our country further.
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