Cambodian director defends ‘Ghost Mountain’ film amid Thai concerns

PHNOM PENH, Jan 20, 2026 (KPT) – The director of a Cambodian historical film has defended his work as fact based and ethically produced, after Thai media and a bilateral information center raised concerns over its portrayal of events.

Leak Lyda, director of Tragedy of Phnom Khmoch or Ghost Mountain – The Second Killing Fields of Cambodia, said on January 19 there was “no need for Thailand to worry,” stressing the film was grounded in verifiable facts and professional standards.

His comments followed a January 18 report by Khaosod English citing the Thailand–Cambodia Information Center, which warned that references to Thailand as a “second killing field” could complicate efforts to ease tensions between the two countries. The center urged filmmakers to use responsible language and ensure historical accuracy.

Lyda responded on Facebook, saying the film “only tells the truth” and encourages Cambodians to take pride in their history while respecting national dignity.

LD Picture said the production draws on survivor testimonies and eyewitness accounts of atrocities at Phnom Khmoch near the border in the late 1970s, as well as the book Dangrek Mountains …Unforgettable by Dr. Mengly J. Quach.

Filming has already begun with Cambodian actors, backed by significant investment.