For centuries, Cambodia was a beacon of culture and intellectual prowess in Southeast Asia, home to the ancient Kingdom of Funan, dating back over 2000 years, as well as the majestic Angkor Wat and the rich traditions of the Khmer civilization.
Little is known about how ancient Khmer wisdom prevailed, except for the stone carvings on existing temple walls. However, one can witness this profound wisdom and philosophical thinking through the evident prosperity of the Khmer Empire, both before and during the Angkorian Era.
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful nation-states in Southeast Asia, producing well-known strategic thinkers such as Suryavarman II, the builder of Angkor Wat, and Jayavarman VII, a highly respected king who transformed Cambodia into an early form of a welfare state inspired by Buddhist philosophy to address both the spiritual and physical needs of his people.
Yet today, in the 21st century, as we reflect on the past and the present, one might wonder: has the land of scholars and artists lost its ability to think independently, critically, and strategically? In a world increasingly dominated by digital technology, geopolitical dynamics and vast flow of information, can Cambodians truly forge their intellectual path, or are we merely echoes of the thoughts of foreign powers, caught in the web of globalized ideas and manipulated by social media?
To answer these questions, we must first reflect on the intellectual legacy that Cambodia once proudly held. The grandeur of the Khmer Empire, with its architectural marvels and spiritual depth, was a display of power and a testament to a sophisticated understanding of the world and humanity’s place within it. In each temple, as we carefully observe, each piece of stone reveals the stories of faith, power, artistic talent, and wisdom thinking. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it belongs to the Khmer and all humanity. Cambodian scholars, artists, and monks of the past were bearers of profound wisdom, drawing from Hindu and Buddhist teachings. They blended elements of Indian and Chinese civilizations with indigenous philosophies to shape a unique cultural identity that resonated across Asia—a legacy that the Khmer still cherish today.
But tragically, these prosperities did not endure. The following centuries saw Cambodian intellectual foundations shaken by the fall of the Khmer Empire, colonization, civil war, and political upheaval. The French colonial rule imposed new ideologies and systems that, while arguably useful for modernization, were often at odds with traditional Cambodian values. Later, the brutal Khmer Rouge regime sought to erase not just lives but the very essence of Cambodian thought, leaving scars that continue to affect the nation’s psyche. Moreover, starting with Generation Z youths (born from 1997 to 2012), this group never experienced the trauma of their country’s civil wars and conflicts from the 1970s until the early 1990s but instead witnessed a poor and the dominance of poorly managed social media and digital technology. Another critical challenge now involves Generation Alpha (children born between 2013 and 2024). The World Bank reported that over 50 percent of Cambodian children struggle to read and understand a simple story at the end of primary school. Generation Z and Generation Alpha witness the remarkable transformation of the world, where newly emerging technologies and required skills are essential, yet they still question their readiness.
Cambodians need to understand that the world has changed and will continue to change rapidly and competitively. Science, technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence will lead the world, not ideology or superstition. Therefore, Cambodia needs to nurture a knowledge-based society filled with well-educated and informed citizens who can think critically, independently, and strategically for long-term development. The main questions for the current and future generations are: “Are we ready for the new changes? Do we have the capability to critically and independently evaluate information? Can we analyze all the information we receive to forge our intellectual thinking?” These are essential questions, as Cambodia, like many other countries in this information age, faces the pervasive influence of social media. In a least developed country where traditional education and critical thinking have been weakened by historical trauma, social media have quickly filled the void, often at the expense of informed discourse. Platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and TikTok dominate the Cambodian digital landscape and are a double-edged sword. While they offer unprecedented access to information, they also facilitate the spread of misinformation, fake news, immoral content, and echo chambers that stifle independent thought.
The reality is stark: Without robust critical-thinking skills, many Cambodians can be manipulated by foreign powers or specific groups of politicians for their benefit. They can be easily swayed by sensationalist media headlines and driven to emotional or superstitious rather than rational responses. This digital environment, where information is consumed rapidly and superficially, seriously threatens the nation’s intellectual independence. The ability to discern fact from fiction, question sources, and engage in thoughtful analysis is more crucial than ever, yet it is often lacking in our Cambodian society. Cambodia records a high literacy rate of 84 percent. However, there is no specific data on daily reading habits or what motivates Cambodians to read. The most likely motivation to read is academic obligation. Therefore, most information they receive comes from social media rather than scholarly journals, quality books, quality media or scientifically-approved materials. It is widely believed that most young Cambodians prefer social media or mobile gaming to pass the time, and it remains unclear whether reading habits have been successfully adopted among Cambodians today despite some efforts to improve this.
These unfortunate facts are attributed to intellectual barriers in our society, where people tend to consume and spread information quickly without thoughtful analysis and where past trauma continues to shape present thinking. And the implications of these barriers are far-reaching. A nation whose citizens need help to think independently, critically, and strategically is at risk of falling behind in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world. The question, therefore, is not just whether Cambodians can think but how we can reclaim and nurture the ability to do so in a way that empowers the nation to thrive.
To address these, Cambodia must invest more in its education reforms, prioritizing critical thinking, media and digital literacy, reading habits, and developing a quality mindset. Schools, universities, and public institutions need to foster an environment conducive to healthy dialogues and political debates, in which the diverse perspectives of people are valued and where the pursuit of knowledge goes beyond memorizing the facts and include in-depth understanding and critical questioning on what is happening in the country and around the world. More importantly, there must be more concerted efforts to heal the psychological wounds of older Cambodians who experienced the Khmer Rouge and the subsequent conflicts. This healing process is essential for them to move beyond trauma and toward a better future defined by innovation, creativity, and resilience. This requires governmental action and a cultural shift that values and promotes intellectual thinking based on scientific knowledge.
So, the answer to “Can Cambodians Think?” lies in our history and our future. Cambodia has the potential once again to become a beacon of intellectual prowess in Southeast Asia, but this depends on the strong willingness and commitment of the Khmer people to build a collective effort to overcome the challenges of the modern age and the lingering shadows of their tragic past. It is time for Cambodia and the Cambodians to reclaim their intellectual heritage and think not just as followers of external thought but as a nation capable of leading its future with wisdom, courage, intellectual thinking and a strategic long-term vision.
Chhay LIM is a Monbukagakusho-MEXT master’s scholar at the Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University, Japan. He is also a Young Leader at the Pacific Forum, which is an independent foreign policy research institute based in the State of Hawaii in United States.
