Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border persist, marked by a significant proliferation of fake news and reciprocal accusations, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) reported that eight out of the top ten fake news items last week were directly related to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, highlighting the intense disinformation campaign surrounding the situation.

A recent point of contention arose when Cambodia’s Minister of Information, citing foreign intelligence sources, alleged that Thailand was planning to assassinate Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, vehemently rejected these claims as entirely unfounded and clearly intended to defame Thailand. Nikorndej emphasized that spreading false news undermines the spirit of dialogue and peaceful resolution, particularly while both sides are engaged in General Border Committee (GBC) discussions.

Conversely, Thailand has accused Cambodia of various provocations and breaches of international law. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is set to lead the ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) on a mission to monitor alleged ceasefire violations by Cambodian troops and assess the use of landmines. This initiative follows previous visits organized by the Thai government, including one by ASEAN envoys and representatives from countries that ratified the Ottawa Convention to Si Sa Ket province. During this visit, envoys reportedly witnessed evidence of anti-personnel mines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops and spoke with affected residents. Thailand intends to present these findings to the international community.

In parallel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) conducted visits facilitated by the RTA, Foreign Ministry, and Interior Ministry, to assess the humanitarian impact of cross-border attacks on civilians in Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. The ICRC gathered facts and interviewed affected civilians, compiling a confidential report for both Thailand and Cambodia to strengthen humanitarian protection mechanisms.

A long-standing dispute centers on the Ban Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo, where Thailand accuses Cambodians of betraying Thai hospitality and humanitarian aid by establishing and expanding a community on Thai soil. Ban Nong Chan was initially a temporary shelter for Cambodians fleeing civil war in 1977. Thailand alleges that Cambodia exploited this humanitarian gesture to encroach upon Thai territory, with refugees refusing to return home and instead expanding their settlements. Descendants of these refugees have since built nearly 200 new homes, claiming the area as Cambodian sovereign land, a claim rejected by Thailand.

The Thai government spokesman, Jirayu Houngsub, asserted that Thailand had erected razor wire within its own boundaries at Ban Nong Chan to protect its territory from further encroachment and attacks, including from landmines laid by Cambodian troops. Jirayu insisted this action did not violate the August 7 GBC agreement, which stipulated that neither side would construct structures outside their territories. He also countered claims by an American lobbyist, hired by the Cambodian government, that Thai troops were blocking Cambodians from returning home.

Amidst these heightened tensions, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the government would consider a proposal from academics to sue Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, as war criminals in the International Criminal Court (ICC). This follows a National Security Council (NSC) resolution to file criminal and civil lawsuits against them in Thai courts for allegedly causing deaths, injuries, and property damage to Thais by ordering Cambodian troops to fire at Thai civilians.