Latest news with #nationalists
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Should Indians feel ‘ashamed' for speaking English?
India's ruling government is questioning the country's reliance on English, igniting debates over identity, inclusion, and opportunity. It comes as the government is working to erase remnants of colonial history, from renaming school textbooks to changing street name. Yet, some warn that sidelining English could undermine the nation's future, even as language politics continue to fuel tensions.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thais and Cambodians slug it out on social media, as border tensions flare
As the border clashes this week killed more than a dozen people in Thailand and at least one in Cambodia, regional governments have been trying to prevent a war between the two countries. But a different kind of war between their citizens is already raging - via increasingly belligerent exchanges on social media. Nationalists from both sides have long bickered over several points of national pride - from ownership of temples and territories to the origins of traditional dances, costumes, food and sports. The rising tensions in recent weeks, which culminated in the deadly attacks on Thursday, have now prompted young people on both sides to trade fresh barbs online. The comment sections of social media posts about the conflict have turned into an online warzone, with Thai and Cambodian users arguing with each other and backing their governments official version of events. "Justice for Cambodia," one Cambodian user commented on a TikTok video of a user trying to explain the conflict. "Thai troops opened fire on Cambodian forces first." "[Who's] gonna trust [what] the largest scammer country said?" a Thai user replied, making a reference to the widespread scam centres in Cambodia that have entrapped hundreds of thousands. "Cambodia fired at Thailand first. This is the truth. Join in using the hashtag #CambodiaOpenedFire" a Thai X user wrote, in a post that has been viewed a million times. Cambodians, meanwhile, are using the hashtag "Thailand opened fire" and making their own videos about the conflict. Border tensions between the two countries have been simmering since May, after a brief skirmish killed one Cambodian soldier. Both countries imposed travel restrictions on each other and strengthened military presence along the border. As bilateral ties plunged to their lowest levels in a decade, some voiced concerns about hate-mongering on social media that threatened to divide the two countries' people even more. Cambodian and Thai journalists' associations issued a joint statement in May, saying that social media users have "circulated information without clear sources" and "caused confusion". The groups urged social media users to "carefully consider the potential consequences" when sharing content related to the border. As things heat up, a few have taken the belligerence offline too. A viral video posted on Thursday showed what appeared to be a Thai man asking Cambodian workers to speak Khmer - before slapping them in the face. "We're now beginning to see violence, even among the groups with no prior conflict between them," Wilaiwan Jongwilaikasaem, a journalism professor at Thammasat University, told BBC Thai, describing the nationalistic influencers as waging a "war of hate". Long cultural rivalry There are plenty of sensitive touchpoints for social media warriors from both countries to battle over. The dispute between the two countries dates back to more than 100 years ago, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia. In 2008, Cambodia registered Preah Vihear, an 11th Century temple located near the disputed border as a Unesco World Heritage Site - a move that was met with heated protest from Thailand. The dispute later expanded to the 13th Century Ta Moan temple complex - which Cambodia claimed Thai troops had lined with barbed wire on Thursday. These historical sites are at the heart of a longstanding cultural rivalry between the two countries, which also extends to the realms of sports, cuisine and attire. Thai nationalists decry what they say is cultural theft by "Claimbodia", while their Khmer counterparts have dubbed them "Siamese thieves". In 2023, Thai kickboxers boycotted the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia after the sporting event they recognised as Muay Thai was introduced as Kun Khmer - which is what Cambodians call it. Earlier this month, controversy ensued after Cambodia nominated its Khmer wedding tradition for inscription on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage. Thai social media users claimed that a Thai traditional dress was in the submission - igniting anger and allegations of cultural appropriation, as Thailand was also seeking consideration for its traditional attire to be recognised by Unesco. More recently, Thai tourists attacked Cambodian military officers at Ta Muen Thom, a temple in a disputed area along Thai-Cambodian border. Politicians' war on X Whether the aggression will wane remains to be seen, now that Cambodia has called for a ceasefire. On the other hand, the political kingmakers on both sides - who are avid social media users themselves - are hurling jabs at each other too. In a post on X, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's populist former prime minister, said he appreciated the offers he had received to help mediate the hostilities. "But I asked for some time because I have to let the Thai military teach Hun Sen a lesson for his cunningness," he wrote. Hun Sen, a strongman ex-leader who remains influential in Cambodian politics, retorted on his X account. "I am not surprised by Thaksin's attitude toward me, because he has even betrayed the Thai King, as well as members of his own party," he wrote on Friday. "Now, under the pretext of taking revenge on Hun Sen, he is resorting to war, the ultimate consequence of which will be the suffering of the people." This particular escalation of events was, in fact, caused by the unexpected fracturing of a long-standing friendship between Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra. Hun Sen leaked a phone call between him and Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The conversation, where Paetongtarn - then prime minister - called him "uncle", and criticised one of her own military commanders, was hugely embarrassing for her and sparked massive public anger. She has since been suspended as prime minister and Thailand's Constitutional Court is considering a petition for her dismissal. Some Thais believe that the leaking of the phone call was an attempt by Hun Sen to distract his people. "Hun wants dispute and war, he wants to solidify his and his son's future position in (Cambodia) and he needs to have bigger enemy which is why he push for anti-Thai narrative and war," said one Thai social media user in response to a Cambodian's post which said "there is no reason for smaller country with weaker economic (sic) like Cambodia to invade Thailand first". Even if the border conflict stops short of being a full-fledged war, the battles on the social media look set to continue. Additional reporting by Paweena Ninbut Cambodia calls for immediate ceasefire with Thailand Thailand warns clashes with Cambodia could 'move towards war' The fractured friendship behind the fight at the Thailand-Cambodia border
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Thailand-Cambodia: Social media war flares up amid border clashes
As the border clashes this week killed more than a dozen people in Thailand and at least one in Cambodia, regional governments have been trying to prevent a war between the two a different kind of war between their citizens is already raging - via increasingly belligerent exchanges on social media. Nationalists from both sides have long bickered over several points of national pride - from ownership of temples and territories to the origins of traditional dances, costumes, food and rising tensions in recent weeks, which culminated in the deadly attacks on Thursday, have now prompted young people on both sides to trade fresh barbs online. The comment sections of social media posts about the conflict have turned into an online warzone, with Thai and Cambodian users arguing with each other and backing their governments official version of events. "Justice for Cambodia," one Cambodian user commented on a TikTok video of a user trying to explain the conflict. "Thai troops opened fire on Cambodian forces first.""[Who's] gonna trust [what] the largest scammer country said?" a Thai user replied, making a reference to the widespread scam centres in Cambodia that have entrapped hundreds of thousands. "Cambodia fired at Thailand first. This is the truth. Join in using the hashtag #CambodiaOpenedFire" a Thai X user wrote, in a post that has been viewed a million times. Cambodians, meanwhile, are using the hashtag "Thailand opened fire" and making their own videos about the conflict. Border tensions between the two countries have been simmering since May, after a brief skirmish killed one Cambodian soldier. Both countries imposed travel restrictions on each other and strengthened military presence along the bilateral ties plunged to their lowest levels in a decade, some voiced concerns about hate-mongering on social media that threatened to divide the two countries' people even and Thai journalists' associations issued a joint statement in May, saying that social media users have "circulated information without clear sources" and "caused confusion".The groups urged social media users to "carefully consider the potential consequences" when sharing content related to the things heat up, a few have taken the belligerence offline too. A viral video posted on Thursday showed what appeared to be a Thai man asking Cambodian workers to speak Khmer - before slapping them in the face. "We're now beginning to see violence, even among the groups with no prior conflict between them," Wilaiwan Jongwilaikasaem, a journalism professor at Thammasat University, told BBC Thai, describing the nationalistic influencers as waging a "war of hate". Long cultural rivalry There are plenty of sensitive touchpoints for social media warriors from both countries to battle over. The dispute between the two countries dates back to more than 100 years ago, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia. In 2008, Cambodia registered Preah Vihear, an 11th Century temple located near the disputed border as a Unesco World Heritage Site - a move that was met with heated protest from dispute later expanded to the 13th Century Ta Moan temple complex - which Cambodia claimed Thai troops had lined with barbed wire on historical sites are at the heart of a longstanding cultural rivalry between the two countries, which also extends to the realms of sports, cuisine and nationalists decry what they say is cultural theft by "Claimbodia", while their Khmer counterparts have dubbed them "Siamese thieves". In 2023, Thai kickboxers boycotted the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia after the sporting event they recognised as Muay Thai was introduced as Kun Khmer - which is what Cambodians call this month, controversy ensued after Cambodia nominated its Khmer wedding tradition for inscription on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage. Thai social media users claimed that a Thai traditional dress was in the submission - igniting anger and allegations of cultural appropriation, as Thailand was also seeking consideration for its traditional attire to be recognised by recently, Thai tourists attacked Cambodian military officers at Ta Muen Thom, a temple in a disputed area along Thai-Cambodian border. Politicians' war on X The aggression is unlikely to wane, especially since the political kingmakers on both sides - who are avid social media users themselves - are hurling jabs at each other too. In a post on X, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's populist former prime minister, said he appreciated the offers he had received to help mediate the hostilities. "But I asked for some time because I have to let the Thai military teach Hun Sen a lesson for his cunningness," he Sen, a strongman ex-leader who remains influential in Cambodian politics, retorted on his X account. "I am not surprised by Thaksin's attitude toward me, because he has even betrayed the Thai King, as well as members of his own party," he wrote on Friday. "Now, under the pretext of taking revenge on Hun Sen, he is resorting to war, the ultimate consequence of which will be the suffering of the people."This particular escalation of events was, in fact, caused by the unexpected fracturing of a long-standing friendship between Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra. Hun Sen leaked a phone call between him and Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn conversation, where Paetongtarn - then prime minister - called him "uncle", and criticised one of her own military commanders, was hugely embarrassing for her and sparked massive public anger. She has since been suspended as prime minister and Thailand's Constitutional Court is considering a petition for her Thais believe that the leaking of the phone call was an attempt by Hun Sen to distract his people. "Hun wants dispute and war, he wants to solidify his and his son's future position in (Cambodia) and he needs to have bigger enemy which is why he push for anti-Thai narrative and war," said one Thai social media user in response to a Cambodian's post which said "there is no reason for smaller country with weaker economic (sic) like Cambodia to invade Thailand first".Even if the border conflict stops short of being a full-fledged war, the battles on the social media look set to continue. Additional reporting by Paweena Ninbut
Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Times
A change in political weather can let the sun shine in
I t can be hard to know when the political weather is changing. One sign can be the old politicians' trick of telling different stories to different audiences. In the past few weeks John Swinney has been reassuring independence supporters it's comin' yet for a' that. But when some nationalists blame his soft-pedalling of independence for losing the last by-election, they are rebuked — don't they realise that the public have other worries? So it's not comin' a' that soon. The same message is put more plainly by an exiled member of the SNP's royal family. Fergus Ewing, unencumbered by office or even party membership, says flatly that the SNP should lay independence aside for a decade and concentrate on sorting out the country they are supposed to be running.
Irish Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Poland to start controls on borders with Germany, Lithuania over migration
Poland will introduce temporary controls along borders with Germany and Lithuania on July 7th, prime minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday, echoing several other European Union countries in reimposing frontier checks to stem illegal migration. Belgium , the Netherlands and Germany have also brought back border controls, underlining a public backlash against undocumented migration that has strained the EU's Schengen passport-free travel zone. 'We consider the temporary reintroduction of controls necessary to reduce the uncontrolled flows of migrants across the Polish-German border to a minimum,' Mr Tusk told a meeting of his cabinet. Mr Tusk's liberal government has been accused by nationalist and far-right opposition parties of accepting numerous illegal migrants being sent back from Germany. The government had argued that the numbers were limited. READ MORE [ EU cannot ignore what's happening in Poland and The Netherlands Opens in new window ] Debate over migration in Poland has turned increasingly heated in recent weeks, with far-right activists starting to organise patrols along the border with Germany. Germany said in February that it was extending its temporary border controls for six months. Mr Tusk, who has previously called on Berlin to do more to help its neighbours protect the EU's external border, criticised Germany's approach to migrants at its frontier, saying it placed excessive pressure on Poland. 'Poland's patient position after Germany formally introduced unilateral border controls is wearing out,' Mr Tusk said. He said it had become difficult to determine whether migrants being sent from Germany to Poland should really be returned there under EU rules stating that migrants should apply for asylum in the first member state they enter. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Germany wants to preserve the Schengen system, which allows passport-free movement, but this could only work if it was not abused by criminals who smuggle migrants. 'We know that the Polish government also wants to impose border controls with Lithuania in order to limit illegal border crossings from Lithuania to Poland,' Mr Merz told a news conference. 'So, we have a common problem here that we want to solve together.' Knut Abraham, the German government's commissioner for Poland, was critical of the tilt towards border restrictions. 'The solution cannot lie in pushing migrants back and forth between Poland and Germany or in cementing border controls on both sides,' he was quoted by Die Welt newspaper as saying. Lithuanian foreign minister Kestutis Budrys told a news conference that the Polish government had informed him about its decision, BNS news agency reported. '[We need to see] what measures should be most effective, while maintaining the expectation that they will not violate our common interest in having free movement of persons, and will also contribute to our goal of firmly and solidly protecting the external border of the EU and Nato,' BNS quoted him as saying. Poland has been facing what it says is a migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus and Russia on its eastern border since 2021. Both countries deny encouraging migrants to cross. – Reuters
