BANGKOK – Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected claims made by Cambodian state media about a supposed Thai plot to assassinate Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Cambodian reports suggested the Royal Thai Air Force intended to use South Korean GPS-guided bombs against the Cambodian leaders. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa called the accusations “distasteful and groundless,” and accused Cambodia of spreading untrue stories to disrupt ongoing diplomatic talks.
The claims first appeared in the Khmer Times on 5 August, referencing unnamed foreign intelligence sources. The report alleged Thailand would use AT-6 TH light attack aircraft, armed with 200 Korean-made GPS-guided bombs, in a targeted attack. It stated Thailand had received a delivery of eight such aircraft from South Korea, along with extra munitions, to carry out this plan.
These allegations followed a rise in tension after a brief and deadly clash on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. That conflict ended in a ceasefire on 28 July, brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking to reporters in Bangkok, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa dismissed the story, calling it “unfounded and driven by politics.” He stressed that Thailand respects international law and seeks peaceful outcomes. Maris noted that spreading false claims during ongoing discussions under the General Border Committee in Malaysia could damage progress and trust between the two countries.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister
The Thai Foreign Ministry issued its statement, echoing Maris’s comments. The ministry described the reports as “malicious” and urged the Cambodian government to choose dialogue over spreading provocative rumours.
“Thailand has always respected international laws and the sovereignty of other nations. False accusations do not help address the real issues,” the ministry’s statement read.
The release of this story comes soon after a fragile ceasefire halted fierce border fighting that killed at least 38 people and displaced nearly 200,000, most of them in border areas of Thailand. Some experts suggest Cambodian authorities may be trying to increase nationalist feelings at home or distract from internal problems like criticism over illegal businesses, including scam operations that reportedly contribute much to Cambodia’s economy.
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has also commented, saying these latest claims fit a pattern of misinformation from Cambodia. The ministry’s Anti-Fake News Centre has already listed several untrue stories from Cambodia, such as previous accusations of Thai troops using chemical weapons during the May 28 border clash near Ta Moan Thom temple. A spokesperson said, “These claims are meant to create division and mislead people.”
Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict
The dispute over the border comes from old disagreements about colonial-era maps, especially near the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples.
The latest conflict, which saw Thai F-16 jets use Korean-made guided bombs on Cambodian military positions, was the worst between the two countries in over ten years. Both sides blame each other: Thailand says Cambodia planted landmines on Thai soil, while Cambodia claims Thai forces attacked first.
Although the ceasefire is in place, confidence remains low. On X, Thai users, including @ThaiPBSWorld and @ThaiEnquirer, have called the assassination story a fabrication and encouraged the use of official information. Cambodian social media has responded with hashtags like #ThailandOpenedFire, keeping the argument alive online.
Foreign Minister Maris urged calm and called on Cambodia to recover the bodies of soldiers killed during the recent fighting, saying such action would help restore good relations. He also thanked Malaysia and the United States for their diplomatic efforts, but stressed that Thailand prefers to resolve matters directly with Cambodia.
As both countries try to move forward, the Thai government has underlined its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region and has cautioned against any further provocations. With ASEAN monitoring the situation, Thai officials hope that open dialogue and honesty will lead to real peace and stop the spread of false claims in this already sensitive border area.
