Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have significantly escalated, marked by a series of serious allegations, territorial disputes, and ongoing diplomatic efforts. Despite a 13-point ceasefire agreement reached during the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Malaysia on August 7, provocations, fake news, and various forms of intimidation continue to affect the region.

A major point of contention arose when Cambodia’s Minister of Information made claims, citing foreign intelligence, that Thailand was planning to assassinate Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, firmly rejected these accusations as entirely unfounded, defamatory, and a clear attempt to undermine the spirit of dialogue aimed at peacefully resolving the situation. Nikorndej emphasized that spreading false news during GBC discussions serves no constructive purpose.

Amidst these allegations, the focus has shifted to verifiable border violations and their humanitarian impact. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is set to lead the ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) on a mission to the Thai-Cambodian border to monitor alleged breaches of international law and ceasefire conditions by Cambodian troops. This follows earlier visits organized by the Thai government for international observers. ASEAN envoys and representatives from countries that ratified the Ottawa Convention, which bans landmines, visited Si Sa Ket province. There, they reportedly witnessed evidence of anti-personnel mines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops and spoke with affected residents. The Thai government expects these envoys to report their findings to their respective governments and raise the issue internationally.

Further highlighting the humanitarian concerns, the RTA, in coordination with the Foreign and Interior Ministries, facilitated a visit by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC assessed the humanitarian impact of cross-border attacks on civilians in Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, interviewing local residents. The ICRC will compile a confidential report on its findings for both Thailand and Cambodia, demonstrating Thailand’s commitment to strengthening humanitarian protection mechanisms.

Thailand is also considering legal recourse against Cambodian leadership. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that academics might submit a proposal to the government to consider suing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, in the International Criminal Court (ICC) as war criminals. This comes alongside a National Security Council (NSC) resolution to file both criminal and civil lawsuits against Hun Manet and Hun Sen in Thai courts. These lawsuits would be based on allegations of causing deaths, injuries, and property damage to Thais by ordering Cambodian troops to fire at Thai civilians.

Another significant and long-standing dispute concerns the Ban Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub asserted that Cambodians had betrayed Thai hospitality by establishing a community on Thai soil in this area. Originally a temporary shelter for Cambodian refugees fleeing civil war in 1977, Thailand’s humanitarian aid was allegedly exploited for encroachment. Refugees reportedly refused to return home, expanding their community, with descendants building nearly 200 new homes and claiming the area as Cambodian sovereign land, despite Cambodia rejecting Thailand’s border demarcation claims. Thailand has responded by erecting razor wire fences to protect its territory from further encroachment and attacks, including from landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops. Jirayu insisted that this action was entirely within Thai boundaries and did not violate the GBC agreement of August 7, which prohibited constructing structures outside respective territories.

The conflict has also been marred by an intense information war. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) reported that eight out of the top ten fake news items last week were false reports related to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, with the top three directly concerning the situation. This underscores the Foreign Ministry’s condemnation of disinformation as a harmful attempt to derail diplomatic efforts, with Phumtham stressing the importance of fighting with truth, not information warfare.

International engagement has also played a role in recent developments. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham met with a delegation of four US lawmakers who visited Thailand to follow regional developments. The US delegation, acting as temporary observers, is scheduled to observe the Thai-Cambodian border conflict zone in Ubon Ratchathani. Phumtham emphasized the need for peaceful solutions that prioritize the lives of affected people and confirmed he had raised the issue of Cambodian mine-laying activities with the delegation. He stressed that discussions on cancelling Memoranda of Understanding 43 and 44 should be set aside, with priority given to addressing Cambodia’s alleged landmine deployment in Thai territory and the issue of barbed-wire fences. Future talks are expected to resume on September 10, highlighting the ongoing efforts to navigate these complex bilateral challenges.