BANGKOK – Cambodia has stepped up its campaign of misinformation against Thailand as the countries’ long-running border feud grows more tense. At the centre of this effort, former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen accuses Thailand of using chemical weapons and other hostile acts.
This fresh round of false claims comes as Cambodia appears to support policies favoured by the Trump administration. Several allegations, especially the claim that Thai troops used chemical agents, have already been shown to be baseless. Thai authorities responded by listing the top ten fake news stories originating from Cambodia in an attempt to counter the rising tide of propaganda and maintain stability in the region.
Hun Sen, who has dominated Cambodian politics for about forty years, remains highly influential even after stepping down as prime minister in 2023 to give the role to his son, Hun Manet.
As Senate President, he keeps a tight grip on the country’s media, regularly shutting down critical news outlets like The Cambodia Daily and Voice of Democracy. His government often labels independent reporting as “propaganda” and replaces it with state-backed messages.
For years, Hun Sen has used social media to direct public opinion and silence criticism. Under his leadership, the Cambodian People’s Party created a “Cyber War Room” to spread false stories and target opponents using coordinated networks.
This approach has reappeared during the latest border dispute, with Hun Sen frequently posting on Facebook, where millions follow him. Photos of him in military attire or meeting army commanders suggest he still controls decision-making, despite no longer being the prime minister.
Accusations Over Chemical Weapons
Cambodia’s main accusation centres on a claim that, during clashes beginning on 28 May 2025 near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, Thai soldiers used chemical weapons. Hun Sen and other officials, including his daughter-in-law, posted images meant to prove these claims.
Fact-checkers revealed these were old photos of a US plane dropping pink flame retardant in California wildfire areas.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces rejected the accusation outright, stressing their commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and international humanitarian law. “Cambodia’s allegation is false, completely unfounded, and is fake news released via Cambodian social media,” Thailand’s air force posted online.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society in Thailand identified the top ten fake news stories spreading from Cambodia, many involving fake reports of troop violence, edited photos, and made-up stories about Cambodian soldiers withdrawing to cast Cambodia as a victim.
The 10 most-shared fake news stories.
- Thai soldiers beheaded Cambodian troops
- 140 Thai soldiers killed
- 40 Thai soldiers killed, 30 captured
- Norway donated F-16 jets to Thailand
- Surin’s governor declared a war disaster zone
- The Thai army reclaimed the Phra Wihan Temple
- Thailand used biological weapons against Cambodia
- Thai aircraft dropped toxic chemicals on Cambodian civilians
- The Second Army Region raised funds for frontline operations
- The Defence Ministry ordered a halt to medical aid for Cambodian patients
Tep Asnarith, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Information Ministry, warned against believing “unsourced information” that could fuel panic. However, government-backed accounts often spark such confusion themselves.
The page “My Idea” falsely claimed that Poipet City had ordered evacuations, leading authorities to take steps to stop public distress. Such examples show a coordinated strategy to stir up nationalistic anger and put diplomatic pressure on Thailand.
Warming Up to Washington
Cambodia’s recent messaging appears timed with a noticeable tilt towards the Trump administration. President Donald Trump, using America’s trade power, played a key role in the 28 July 2025 ceasefire, which was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Trump threatened 36 percent tariffs on exports from both Cambodia and Thailand if the violence did not stop, pushing both sides into a truce.
Hun Sen now praises Trump’s mediation while criticizing Thailand, trying to position Cambodia as a Washington ally. This could be an attempt to secure better trade deals, as the US buys more Cambodian goods than any other country.
But Hun Sen’s support for closing US-funded media outlets like Radio Free Asia and Voice of America mirrors his methods at home. He claims such closures end “fake news, lies and chaos”—the same terms he uses to vilify local critics—casting doubt on his appeal for honest diplomacy.
Thailand has not stayed silent in the face of Cambodia’s propaganda. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accused Hun Sen of using “information warfare” to divide and frighten people.
Since 2019, the Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society’s Anti-Fake News Centre has worked to find and correct these stories. Its latest report listed doctored images and inflammatory headlines, urging the public to rely on official updates from Thai and Cambodian defence ministries.
Phumtham described Hun Sen’s statements as inconsistent and manipulative, and argued that these tactics are meant to pressure Thailand or boost Hun Sen’s standing with overseas mediators. Thailand also called on other countries to denounce Cambodia’s actions, warning that they threaten regional peace.
Hun Sen’s Record Spoils His Credibility
Hun Sen’s pattern of using propaganda weakens his trustworthiness. Since the 1980s, he has used strict media control to maintain power. International groups documented 35 cases of journalist harassment in 2020 alone. His government replaced independent outlets with state-friendly media such as Fresh News. Many of his “fake news” crackdowns have targeted real journalism, while state channels keep spreading government views.
Ahead of the 2023 polls, the government shuttered Voice of Democracy and others, labelling them mouthpieces for propaganda. Meanwhile, official channels were branded as “free”. Hun Sen’s attacks on critics have even included death threats made through the party’s Cyber War Room. Such steps not only silence journalists and opposition but also erode trust in any information coming from his administration.
Ties with authoritarian governments, especially China, further add to his reputation for pushing propaganda. Supporting associations like the Cambodia-China Journalists Association and calling out “Western media bias” while promoting skewed stories at home highlights a double standard.
Wider Consequences
The ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border tensions show how information warfare can fuel modern conflicts. The International Committee of the Red Cross points out that propaganda and psychological manipulation now threaten civilian safety and break international rules.
Cambodia, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is not allowed to spread propaganda for war or encourage hate, but its actions seem to ignore these commitments.
Thailand’s strategy for countering Cambodia’s misinformation focuses on partnerships with digital platforms, improving media literacy among citizens, and working with regional groups like ASEAN to set clearer standards around online conduct. Cambodia could build a more trustworthy reputation by supporting independent journalism and putting facts ahead of political messaging.
The current truce between Thailand and Cambodia remains fragile. Yet how each government decides to handle information will affect both border stability and its standing on the global stage.
Hun Sen’s campaign may boost Cambodia’s image in the short term, but if these falsehoods keep surfacing, the country risks losing friends abroad. Global attention will stay fixed on the region, aware that unchecked words can have just as much effect as military actions.
