Dear friends, colleagues, and readers,
This is the first time I am writing to you at the beginning of a new year. It is also the first year of Chaktomuk Insight. The platform was born at a difficult moment, shaped by what I heard about Cambodia abroad and by the border clash between Cambodia and Thailand. Those events compelled me to reflect deeply on how Cambodia is seen, understood, and represented in the world.
I would like to begin with the 2025 border clash. This incident affected Cambodia not only physically, but also psychologically. Many Cambodians were left asking, “Why is Cambodia the country that must face this?” The situation revealed the limitations of international law and raised serious questions about the evolving international norms that small states rely on.
Some argue that such outcomes are simply the result of Cambodia not possessing advanced military capabilities. But if we look back to 1998, when Cambodia finally achieved peace, the country faced a fundamental choice: whether to prioritise military expansion or to focus on rebuilding—developing infrastructure, improving human welfare, and restoring social stability after decades of conflict. As a small state, Cambodia also made a strategic decision to uphold international law and seek protection through multilateral rules rather than force.
The 2025 border conflict demonstrated that Cambodia had limited options. Yet within those constraints, we chose the best option available among difficult alternatives. This moment should serve as a turning point and a wake-up call—not for militarisation alone, but for greater national responsibility. Cambodia cannot afford to be a passive participant or a free rider in the current international system. We must be more active, more disciplined, uphold the rule of law, and continue strengthening national capacity across all sectors.
The conflict also highlighted the importance of independent and credible media. Cambodia needs platforms that can serve as a clear window through which the world can understand the country. By independent and transparent media, I do not mean outlets that promote ideology or propaganda. Media should first report facts accurately. Beyond that, it should help readers understand context, offer analysis, and encourage informed reflection after the facts are known.
Defending a country’s image does not only mean reacting aggressively to negative narratives. There are many tools available, distinguishing serious criticism from noise, responding where necessary, ignoring what is not worth amplifying, and correcting misinformation calmly. Credibility is built through consistency, restraint, and quality, not volume.
Many people, including members of my own team, have asked what comes next for Chaktomuk Insight once the border situation is settled. The truth is that Chaktomuk Insight was never intended to focus on border conflicts alone. Prolonged exposure to conflict-driven narratives carries psychological costs—not only for audiences, but also for those who produce and engage with such content. Our core mission remains unchanged. Chaktomuk Insight exists to present Cambodia to the world through a policy-oriented lens and youth perspectives. Moving forward, we will focus on Cambodia public policy themes, including the economy, banking and finance, foreign affairs, technology, businesses, trades, and issues relevant to young people, particularly content that supports their professional development and ability to navigate the modern working environment.
Alongside Chaktomuk Insight, we are also launching a new initiative focused on tourism, Cambodia Update. I personally believe that repeatedly telling the world “Cambodia is safe to travel” is neither effective nor convincing. People rarely need to announce that they are “good”—doing so often has the opposite effect. Instead, Cambodia Update will provide neutral, experience-based content that allows international visitors to observe, reflect, and decide for themselves whether Cambodia is a destination they wish to explore.
Finally, based what I witnessed my own eyes with my team, in this 2026 I would like to share a message with the younger generation. Life requires a balance between self-care and responsibility. Pressure is unavoidable; the difference lies in its intensity and in how we manage it. Discipline and a strong sense of responsibility are essential, not only for personal success, but also for the institutions we serve and the overall efficiency of our national economy.
There is a saying: “If older generations faced hardship, why should younger generations have to do the same?” My answer is this: previous generations endured hardship to make our lives easier. We, in turn, must accept responsibility to ensure an easier and more stable future for the generations that follow—unless we choose to stop that chain of responsibility with ourselves.
Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your commitment. I look forward to the year ahead.