Garment Worker Jailed for Comment on Cambodia-Thailand Border Clash

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A garment worker on Monday was found guilty of incitement for criticizing the Cambodia –Thailand border conflict over social media and insulting a public official.

Hul Monisamorn was sentenced by Phnom Penh Municipal Court to two years’ jail and fined four million riel or about $1,000.

She was arrested at night while cycling to a pharmacy to buy medicine in Pur Senchey district in the capital by plainclothes police in November 2025, according to Licadho.

Monisamorn’s husband, Chheng Chanthea, said he cannot accept the court’s decision and would appeal it.

“I will file an appeal to the Court of Appeal because it is unfair to my family,” he said.

“I don’t know exactly what she wrote on Facebook, but I think our freedom of expression is being restricted. We only shared opinions online, yet they convicted us as if we are not citizens,” Chanthea added.

About 30 people, including opposition members, activists and journalists, and a private school teacher were arrested between July 2025 and February this year for allegedly posting comments on social media about the border clash with Thailand, which occurred in July and December, before a ceasefire was reached.

The arrests come as border tensions with Thailand linger and rights groups continue to criticize the Cambodian government for prosecuting critics and political use of incitement charges.

“We are concerned about the state of freedom of expression, especially the shrinking space for press freedom. Journalists carrying out their professional work should be protected under the Press Law and should not be arrested, charged with felonies, or convicted,” said Am Sam Ath, operations director of LICADHO.

“This issue [regarding the border] should not lead to arrest because it’s an exercise of freedom of expression through social media,” he added.

He said that Khmer citizens including activists who express opinions on border issues should not be arrested, and the government should act in line with the Constitution and international human rights law.

Cambodia was ranked among the world’s lowest-performing countries in the global rule of law index last year, scoring 161 out of 181 countries in the 2025 press freedom index. The government often criticizes critical reports from international rights groups as being biased.

Licadho lists 96 “Prisoners of Interest” in Cambodia who it says are currently detained for activism or expression of views.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesperson Y Rin could not be reached for comment.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona did not respond to a request for comment.