Thailand’s Digital Diplomacy Takes on Cambodia’s US Lobbyists
Bangkok finds itself not only guarding its eastern frontier but also striving to protect its narrative in Washington. As Phnom Penh engages U.S. lobbyists to cast Thailand as an aggressor in a long-running boundary dispute, Thai authorities are marshaling evidence and public diplomacy to counter what they describe as an information war.
Highlights
• Cambodia’s engagement of National Consulting Services, Inc. under a 15-month contract at $38,000 per month
• Thailand’s orchestrated response across military, diplomatic, and informational fronts
• Historical treaties and international rulings at the heart of competing legal claims
• Potential impact on border provinces’ tourism and cross-border trade
The Lobbying Deal Revealed
Recent filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)[^1] expose Phnom Penh’s pact with National Consulting Services, Inc., helmed by former adviser Don Benton. Signed in February 2025 and effective from March to May 2026, the agreement tasks the firm with:
• Securing meetings with key figures on the House Foreign Affairs Committee• Distributing policy briefs that reference the 1904 Franco-Siam treaties and the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding• Framing Cambodia as a small state defending territorial integrity against a larger neighbour
At $38,000 per month, the engagement covers strategic counsel, media outreach and targeted social-media campaigns designed to sway U.S. policymakers and public opinion in Phnom Penh’s favour.
Bangkok’s Response: Facts Over Flair
The Royal Thai Armed Forces and Foreign Ministry have rejected Cambodian allegations of civilian harm, pointing to satellite imagery and detailed casualty logs shared with international partners. Spokespeople emphasize that all Thai military actions adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and aim to secure the border without endangering non-combatants.
Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo stressed the importance of verified facts over emotional appeals. “We will continue to submit on-the-ground documentation to multilateral bodies rather than engage in rhetorical exchanges,” she said, underscoring Thailand’s commitment to transparency.
Border Communities on Edge
In provinces like Si Sa Ket, Surin and Buriram, residents recall past tensions around Preah Vihear temple. Local entrepreneurs worry that negative headlines in Western media—amplified by paid lobbyists—could stall the recent rebound in cross-border trade and deter tourists returning after the pandemic.
Provincial authorities are distributing bilingual advisories on evacuation plans, trade-lane openings and medical support. Their message: maintain calm, follow verified updates and support dialogue rather than sensational claims.
Legal Scholars Draw Battle Lines
International law experts in Bangkok note that both sides lean heavily on century-old treaties and rulings by the International Court of Justice. They recommend Thailand:
• Publicly sharing archival maps to demonstrate longstanding administrative control• Inviting neutral observers to monitor civilian safety measures• Elevating the dispute at ASEAN forums to broaden regional understanding
As Professor Prasit Piwawattanapanich of Thammasat University observes, “Lobbying can shape perceptions, but the ultimate arbiter should be objective legal standards.”
Next Act: Diplomacy Meets Digital Diplomacy
With the lobbying window extending into 2026, Bangkok is ramping up digital diplomacy via a planned multilingual portal offering real-time updates on troop movements, humanitarian precautions and diplomatic engagements. Officials hope that timely, accessible information will undercut any unfounded narratives concocted abroad.
Public advisories urge citizens to treat unverified social-media posts with caution and consult official channels for border-related news. As Thailand navigates this information battleground, the government’s dual focus remains clear: safeguard national interests and promote a fact-driven discourse.
[^1]: For more on FARA, visit the U.S. Department of Justice at https://www.justice.gov/nsd-fara
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