Thai celebrities caught in border crossfire of nationalism and neutrality

As tensions flared between Thailand and Cambodia late last month, a different kind of conflict was playing out online. With violence erupting along the border, many Thai celebrities found themselves in the uncomfortable position of choosing between patriotism and neutrality – each choice carrying its own risks.

As soon as the clashes escalated on July 24, accusations flew on both sides, and many Thai netizens turned their attention to local celebrities, expecting them to take a stand.

Among the first to respond publicly was popular actress Ranee “Bella” Campen, who posted a message on Instagram expressing solidarity with those affected by the conflict. “Every life matters. Violence should never happen to anyone. Sending strength and compassion to every life affected,” she wrote, adding a white heart emoji.

Her message, while seemingly neutral and humane, drew harsh criticism from some Thai netizens, who accused her of failing to prioritise her compatriots. The hate speech became so vitriolic that the long-time “it girl” was forced to disable comments on the post.

National pride or provocation?

In stark contrast, actor and TV personality Nachat “Nicky” Juntapun took a more patriotic stance, sharing a photograph of himself donating blood, captioned: “Thais are peace-loving. But at war, we’re no cowards. You love your country. I love mine,” ending with a Thai flag emoji.

While his message resonated with many Thais, it sparked outrage among his Cambodian fans. His follower count reportedly dropped by nearly 10,000 as tensions between Thai and Cambodian netizens escalated in the comment threads.

The polarisation deepened when singer Gena Desouza publicly questioned Thailand’s K-pop princess Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal. “Where’s your hometown?” she asked, apparently in a bid to pressure the superstar, who has more than 106 million followers, to publicly voice support for her country. Gena has just over 370,000 followers.

The move backfired. Lisa’s fans rushed to her defence, pointing out that her family had sent aid packages to evacuation centres in affected provinces.

Gena’s comment was deleted soon after, followed by a public apology. She explained her outburst as an emotional response to the conflict – her and Lisa's home province of Buri Ram was directly affected by the clashes. Gena said she witnessed people being hurried to evacuation centres amid loud sounds of explosions near the border.

“At that time, I thought Lisa’s voice would be louder than mine,” Gena said in her statement. “She could have expressed support or dismissed fake news.”

Gena acknowledged that the topic was sensitive and that speaking out, on any side, risked not just backlash but also potential harm.

Free speech and fallout

While Thailand upholds democratic freedom of expression, recent years have seen several figures punished, legally or professionally, for “calling out” views opposed to their own. Their large fan bases and extensive reach give celebrities powerful voices, but that visibility comes with a price.

Even if their statements fall within the boundaries of the law, they can violate the policies of sponsors or management agencies. Some stars have had contracts revoked or faced online boycotts over their controversial remarks.

Engfa Waraha, crowned Miss Grand Thailand in 2022, spoke candidly about the cost of taking a stance over the border conflict. Though saddened by the loss of her Cambodian fans, she stood by the hashtag TruthFromThailand, insisting the neighbouring country had breached international law.

“I’m aware there’s a price to pay,” she wrote on X. “But I’ve done my best in using my voice and space.”

A no-win situation

In times of conflict, silence can be seen as betrayal, while speech can inflame passions. Thai celebrities are finding themselves in a no-win situation, where compassion is slammed, nationalism is punished and even neutrality is politicised.

The digital age has blurred the line between entertainment and activism. As the dust settles along the border, Thailand’s stars are left to navigate another battlefield – one shaped by hashtags, followers and different opinions.