Working as a Video Journalist for CNA Insider: The Thailand–Cambodia Border Crisis
It isn’t every day that a shoot gets cancelled on a Saturday and replaced with something more significant by Monday. That’s what happened in early July when I was engaged as a video journalist and camera operator for CNA Insider’s Behind The Thailand–Cambodia Feud That Could Topple The Thai Government.
It isn’t every day that a shoot gets cancelled on a Saturday and replaced with something more significant by Monday. That’s what happened in early July when I was engaged as a video journalist and camera operator for CNA Insider’s Behind The Thailand–Cambodia Feud That Could Topple The Thai Government.
The original assignment was a shoot on the Funan Techno Canal. When the Thailand–Cambodia border dispute escalated and the border closed, the episode producer called to say that they had enough material to focus entirely on the border story and the political fallout from the leaked phone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s elder statesman Hun Sen. The canal documentary was put on hold — it became an entirely separate episode, which I shot a couple of months later. Rather than wait to be reassigned or stand down, I proposed that the border story would be significantly stronger with footage and perspective from the Cambodian side. A piece focused solely on Thai political implications would only tell half the story. She agreed, and over the weekend we developed the editorial approach together. By Monday we had a clear angle and a shooting plan. By Tuesday I was at the Poipet border crossing with my camera.
CNA Insider’s documentary on the Thailand–Cambodia border dispute, filmed on location in Poipet and Phnom Penh
Identifying the Story, Then Telling It
The editorial contribution on this shoot went beyond operating the camera. Identifying that the Cambodian perspective was missing, making the case for it, shaping who we needed to speak to and what the footage needed to establish — that groundwork happened before a single frame was shot. It’s the kind of work that sits at the heart of what a video journalist does, and it’s what made the difference between a one-sided political explainer and a genuinely balanced documentary.
Before heading to Poipet on the Tuesday, I sat down in Phnom Penh with Virak Ou, head of the Future Forum think tank, for a wide-ranging on-camera interview about the historical and political context of the dispute. Getting a credible, English-speaking Cambodian analyst on record gave the episode the intellectual anchor it needed from the Cambodian side. I handled the full production setup for the interview: a multicam shoot using the Sony FX6 as the primary camera and the Sony A7S III on a secondary angle, with lighting, a boom mic, and a lavalier. Two clean angles gave the editor flexibility in a long-form format.
Getting There Fast Mattered
Timing on this story was critical. When I arrived at Poipet, workers were still being allowed to cross from Thailand into Cambodia, and there were people waiting at the border hoping to get through. A couple of days later, the authorities stopped people from waiting at the crossing altogether. The human story I filmed would have been considerably harder to tell even 48 hours later.
Being based in Phnom Penh, able to move quickly, and ready to operate independently across both the editorial and technical sides of a shoot meant we didn’t miss that window. Fast-turnaround, self-sufficient field journalism in complex or fast-moving situations is something I’ve done across a number of assignments in Cambodia and the wider region — you can see more examples in my work for the EU Delegation and on the Tonle Sap.
Filming the Human Cost at Poipet
The Poipet border crossing is one of the busiest land crossings in Southeast Asia. Thousands of Cambodian workers cross daily into Thailand where they work in markets, restaurants, and construction. The border closure immediately took away their work on the other side.
We interviewed workers who had just returned from Thailand and were trying to make sense of what came next. I also identified and filmed a hotel owner in Poipet whose business was impacted by the border closure. With cross-border visitors gone and trade frozen, she described the situation as serious — accounting for around 70 to 80 percent of her income — and spoke plainly about what starting over would mean for her and her children.
On the ground, the border guards and police were professional and friendly, and people were being treated with respect on both sides. But there was an underlying worry that was hard to miss. These were people who had built their working lives around this crossing, and overnight that had been taken away. You felt it in the conversations, in the groups of workers sitting and waiting, not entirely sure what to do next.
One of the most quietly telling details we filmed were the children. While workers were blocked and trade had stopped, the authorities were still allowing children to cross the border to attend school on the other side. Watching kids pass through a checkpoint closed to adults captured something about the human cost of the dispute that no commentary could.
A Cambodian Perspective on the Dispute
Virak Ou was direct about how Cambodia reads its position in the region. “Cambodia has been the victim of two larger, more successful neighbors,” he said. “On the east we have Vietnam, on the west we have Thailand. Cambodia still feels that we have been looked down upon as a backward [country] and we are going to stand up if we feel we are being attacked.”
He was equally measured about the risks of escalation. “It’s important to isolate these issues,” he said. “We need to ensure that we keep it at the political level, as a country to country issue to be resolved through diplomatic means. No benefits to ratchet up the tensions… when it affects the workers and the people from both sides.”
What the Episode Covers
The 46-minute documentary, which has now been viewed over 750,000 times on YouTube, focuses primarily on the Thai political crisis triggered by the leaked call. Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s deferential tone toward Hun Sen and her apparent disparagement of a senior Thai military commander created a firestorm of public anger, with tens of thousands taking to the streets in Bangkok demanding her resignation. The Constitutional Court subsequently suspended her from her duties while investigating the matter.
The footage from Cambodia provides the grounding for what the border dispute actually means on the ground, beyond the political theatre in Bangkok. It gives the episode balance and a human dimension that would have been missing from a story reported entirely from the Thai side — which was the whole point of proposing it.
A Strong Piece of Work, Turned Around Fast
CNA Insider is one of Asia’s most-watched current affairs programmes, and the Insight format allows for the depth that straight news rarely affords. Working across the editorial and camera roles on this one — proposing the angle, planning the shoots, conducting the Poipet filming, and delivering the Phnom Penh interview — was exactly the kind of independent, story-led video journalism I find most satisfying.
The contract was signed on the Monday. Filming was wrapped and the footage ready for delivery within three days. For this kind of assignment — reactive, location-based, editorially led — that turnaround reflects what’s possible when you have someone already on the ground who knows the territory and can work independently from day one.
CNA were happy with both the footage and the approach. The episode is well worth watching in full for anyone following the current situation in Thailand. You can find it on the CNA Insider YouTube channel.
Working on something in Cambodia or Southeast Asia that needs an experienced video journalist on the ground? Drop me a line — I’d be happy to discuss how I can help.
On location in Stung Treng – Filming a case study for UNICEF’s Generation Future Programme
It’s always good to get out of Phnom Penh on assignment and working as an NGO videographer on an assignment for UNICEF was no exception.
I’d made a video case study about Panha just as she started started a role as a team leader as part of the Code for Girls project.
It was always the plan to make a follow up video of Panha to see the progress she had made over the
Panha spoke about the new skills she had learnt. ‘Now, I can use code in my designs
to make all kinds of models,’ she said.
We also interviewed Lida, Panha’s IT teacher. She spoke about the progress Panha had made.
‘It makes me very happy to see Panha undergoing such a positive transformation. She has gone from a girl with basic typing skills to a girl who is confident in writing code,’ she said.
Panha also spoke about the training she had provided to her team members.
‘Over the past 6 months, I have trained my team members in STEM subjects. We’ve learned about using a 3D printer and coding,’ she said.
Chaily, one of Panha’s team members was very positive about the training Panha has given her.
‘Panha has helped to improve my drawing skills, and she’s improved my leadership
and teamworking skills,’ she said.
Panha has had to overcome difficulties to provide the best training she can.
‘Even though I’m a very shy person. My confidence has improved,’ she said.
Panha plans to set up a dedicated STEM room at her school and wants to study computer science at university. She has even inspired Chaily to pursue a university course in civil engineering.
I wish both Panha and Chaily the best of luck in the future. It’s important that increasing numbers of girls enter the STEM sector as they are currently underrepresented. Hopefully they can both continue to be role models and inspire other girls to pursue their goals.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any video projects you’d like to discuss.
Collaborating with the EU as a videographer on a range of projects
It was great to collaborate Landell Mills and the EU as a videographer on a range of projects including Pedal for the Planet, Erasmus + and Radiation Monitoring.
Pedal for the Planet
Pedal for the Planet: It is Time to Change Gears on Climate is an EU intitiative to promote cycling in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia as a whole.
As a keen cyclist myself and someone who makes an effort to live in a sustainable way, it was great work as a videographer on this project.
Having spent COVID in Phnom Penh, it was great to see more and more locals taking up cycling.
Hopefully this kind of event will guarantee that this trend continues and the perception of cycling evolves from being seen as a form of transport for people who can’t afford a motorbike or car to being seen as a green, healthy leisure activity.
Erasmus + in Cambodia
The Erasmus + programme is close to my heart as 2 of my siblings are alumni. It was great to work as a videographer on a couple of videos highlighting the experiences lecturers and civil servants who have benefitted from the scheme and students who want to study in Europe.
It’s a great opportunity for lecturers and students to study and live in Europe. Hopefully this will be an enriching experience both personally and professionally and when people return, they’ll be able to share their experience and implement some of the things they’ve learned to develop the education system here.
Radiation Monitoring
The production of the video was a collaboration between Pixel Peers, MME and myself. MME have their own videography team and supplied footage of the radiation monitoring early warning systems being installed in a number of locations across Cambodia.
Pixel Peers then provided the motion graphics and I edited the video.
There were 2 iterations of the video. One was shown at the launch of the project. I then covered the inauguration as a videographer and cut in images and speeches to produce a second version to be distributed online.
Working with MME was a pleasure. It’s a dynamic, forward-thinking ministry who are doing some great work.
You can see more examples of my work for the EU here and more examples of my documentary work here.
On Location in Stung Treng with UNICEF – NGO filmmaker on a case study
While filming an overview video for Generation Future, part of the assignment was to work as an NGO filmmaker to focus on Panha, a girl who joined the Code for Girls programme to work as a student volunteer.
Code for Girls is a project for girls to to learn about coding and engineering, which are both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.
It’s important to encourage girls to participate in STEM subjects as they’re often seen as subjects more suited to boys.
‘Most of the time, girls’ parents don’t let them study STEM subjects,’ says Panha.
‘After completing high school, I’d like to go to university. I’d like to study IT or engineering,’ she adds.
Panha has been interested in robotics since she was young and Code for Girls is a great opportunity for her to learn more.
‘I’ve been interested in this since I was 10. I found out about it on YouTube. There are so many things to watch,’ she says.
‘It’s predominantly men who make robots, but I think women can make them as well. If male students can study IT, why can't girls?’ she adds.
This has been a great opportunity to learn new skills.
‘The most interesting part was drawing a 3D model on the computer. After creating our designs, we got to print them on a 3D printer. I’m really happy, because I’ve never done anything like this before,’ she say.
Over the coming months, Panha will work with her project leaders and peers to train other students as part of the project.
‘I’d like to be able to provide training for girls like me. to improve their skillset and for them to
understand how to put what I teach into practice,’ she says.
‘I would like to encourage all girls to be confident in studying STEM subjects. They can be role models for the next generation of girls to look up to,’ she adds.
I look forward to catching up with Panha in a few months’ time, when we’ll be making a follow up video to see the progress she’s made and how she’s managed to train and empower other girls in her community.
You can read more about the other Generation Future video I made here.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need an NGO filmmaker to work on any upcoming projects
Veasna's Story - Working as an NGO videographer on a case study for VSO
This is the second case study I made on assignment as an NGO videographer for VSO.
The video tells the story of Veasna and the positive impact VSO’s RECOVER project has had on her livelihood.
As part of the project, Veasna received agricultural training and financial support to improve her growing facilities.
Held in the community with other vegetable growers the training shows Veasna best practices about what to grow, how to grow it and pest control.
Veasna has used the financial support she received to construct a net house for growing higher value crops.
VSO have also set up agricultural cooperatives. This gives the vegetable growers additional selling power as the cooperative can sell larger quantites direct to market.
They sign contracts to guarantee fair prices for their vegetables and a constant source of income.
A storage facility has also been built in the community so the vegetable growers can store their vegetables to cut down on wastage and to be able to control the sale of the vegetables they grow to the market.
It was great to see the positive relationship Veasna had with Ravuth, the trainer, and how she is looking to expand her growing activities in the future so she can support her young family.
Below is the final video:
And here’s the shorter version I made for social media: