Thailand pushes back against Cambodia’s disinformation campaign

Despite a ceasefire agreement, Thai-Cambodian tensions remain high — this time fueled by a coordinated campaign of misinformation from across the border.

Over the past five days, a wave of unverified accusations has flooded Cambodian state media and online platforms, ranging from border violations to an alleged Thai plot to assassinate former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen — a charge Bangkok has called “ugly” and “groundless.”

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa condemned the claims, stating they are part of a broader information war that risks undermining the fragile calm restored along the border.

At a press conference, he accused Cambodia of deliberately distorting facts to discredit Thailand on the international stage.

“This is not diplomacy. This is propaganda,” Maris said. “The idea that Thailand would ever consider an assassination plot is not only false — it is vile. We are committed to peace and international law.”

Maris also emphasized that since the ceasefire was agreed upon, Thailand has upheld its commitments, pulling back forces and engaging in confidence-building measures. But in his view, Cambodia has shifted from military posturing to narrative warfare.

According to the Foreign Ministry, at least seven major false stories targeting Thailand have circulated through Cambodian channels in less than a week.

These include fabricated reports of Thai incursions, mistreatment of Cambodian prisoners of war, and covert operations.

Maris noted that many of these reports have been repeated across state-owned broadcasters, pro-government news sites, and social media pages tied to official agencies — suggesting centralized orchestration.

“We see the same headlines, the same wording, the same timing,” he said. “This is not a coincidence. This is strategy.”

While Cambodia has painted itself as a victim, Thailand has largely taken a defensive posture.

Thai officials have spent considerable resources issuing clarifications, holding briefings with foreign diplomats, and involving international bodies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to verify the country’s compliance with humanitarian law.

In addition, he also briefed Bangkok-based diplomats from 75 embassies and international organizations with clear and verifiable facts. He instructed Thai embassies worldwide to counter the Cambodian narrative with accurate information through all available channels.

Analysts say Cambodia’s media offensive reflects the asymmetry in domestic political systems. With centralized command and minimal press independence, Cambodia can rapidly coordinate and disseminate messages across platforms.

Thailand, on the other hand, must navigate internal debate, bureaucratic procedures, and a more pluralistic media environment — making it slower to respond.

“It’s a classic David-and-Goliath communication dynamic,” said one Thai official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The smaller player can act quickly and emotionally, while the bigger player is expected to act responsibly — and that often means reacting too late.”

Complicating matters further is the Cambodian government’s deliberate conflation of fact and opinion in its media messaging.

The claim that Thai forces sought to assassinate Hun Sen, for example, originated from an anonymous source in a pro-government outlet and was later cited by senior Cambodian officials without evidence.

Maris said the Thai government immediately rejected the accusation and informed the United Nations and ASEAN member states of its falsity. He reiterated that such allegations violate both diplomatic norms and the spirit of ASEAN unity.

“We urge Cambodia to reduce its reliance on information warfare,” he said. “We call for a return to serious, good-faith negotiations under the GBC framework.”

As of Tuesday, the second round of GBC talks continues, with Thai officials pressing for a transparent ceasefire monitoring mechanism and formal repatriation protocols for fallen soldiers.

Maris also revealed that two Cambodian prisoners of war had been returned due to health concerns, with the ICRC observing and verifying the process.

He confirmed that Thailand has repeatedly called on Cambodia to retrieve the remains of its soldiers along the border — an act Maris said was “about basic human dignity.”

Despite the escalating rhetoric, Thai officials remain hopeful that diplomacy will prevail. But Maris warned that continued disinformation could imperil not just bilateral ties, but regional stability.

“This is a test not just of Thai-Cambodian relations,” he said, “but of ASEAN’s ability to uphold truth, peace, and mutual respect.”