Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated amidst a flurry of accusations, diplomatic efforts, and reports of border violations. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has vehemently denied claims circulating on social media, reportedly cited by Cambodia’s Minister of Information, that Thailand plans to assassinate Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson, dismissed these allegations as unfounded defamation, emphasizing that such disinformation undermines ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) discussions aimed at peaceful resolution.

Despite a 13-point ceasefire agreement signed during a GBC meeting in Malaysia on August 7, provocations and disinformation continue. The Thai MFA has accused Phnom Penh of a sustained disinformation campaign and of undertaking actions contrary to its public commitment to a bilateral ceasefire. Alleged ceasefire violations by Cambodia include laying new landmines, using drones for harassment, inciting citizens to protest at the border, and deploying powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the Thai side of the frontier.

The issue of landmines is particularly contentious. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) led an ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) to the Thai-Cambodian border to monitor alleged breaches of international law. This followed visits by ASEAN envoys and representatives from countries that ratified the Ottawa Convention—which bans anti-personnel mines—to Si Sa Ket province, where they observed evidence of landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops and interviewed affected residents. The Thai government plans to share video and photo evidence of Cambodia laying landmines with international bodies in Geneva. Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces to assess the humanitarian impact of cross-border attacks on civilians, compiling a confidential report for both nations.

Another significant point of friction is the situation at Ban Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo, which Thailand alleges is an instance of Cambodian encroachment on Thai soil. Historically, Ban Nong Chan served as a temporary shelter for Cambodian refugees fleeing the Khmer Rouge in 1977. Thailand maintains that Cambodia exploited this humanitarian aid, with refugees refusing to return home and expanding their community, now numbering nearly 200 homes, and claiming the area as Cambodian sovereign land. Thailand has erected razor wire within its own territory to prevent further encroachment and protect against attacks, insisting this does not violate GBC agreements. Cambodia, however, has pressured Thailand to dismantle these fences and continues to reject Thailand’s border demarcation claims.

In response to these developments, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the National Security Council (NSC) resolved to file criminal and civil lawsuits against Hun Manet and Hun Sen in Thai courts for causing deaths, injuries, and property damage to Thais. Furthermore, academics may submit a proposal for the government to consider suing the Cambodian leaders as war criminals in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The prevalence of false reporting related to the border conflict has also been highlighted. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) reported that eight out of the top ten fake news items reviewed last week concerned the Thai-Cambodian border situation, underscoring a significant