Thailand accuses Cambodia of waging foreign-backed information war to shape global opinion

BANGKOK: As fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border continues to simmer, Thai officials say another battle is being waged far from the front lines — one for hearts, minds and global sympathy. Thailand has accused Cambodia of running a coordinated information campaign, claiming that Phnom Penh has hired Western lobbyists to influence how the conflict is seen overseas and to cast Cambodia as the victim. The allegation comes amid growing concern in Bangkok over the flood of English-language videos, posts, and commentaries appearing online in recent weeks. Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, said on Tuesday that Thai authorities had been tracking these voices closely. Many, he noted, are foreigners filming themselves from inside Cambodia and appealing directly to international audiences. “We’ve seen videos of foreigners at different locations, calling for an end to what they say are attacks on Cambodian homes,” he said. “All the lobbyists are Westerners. They are hired to create images and stories so the world feels sympathy for Cambodia.” For Thai officials, the issue goes beyond social media noise. Rear Adm Surasant urged the public to be cautious about what they see and hear online, stressing that Thailand is not running a similar campaign of its own. “We are not hiring lobbyists,” he said. “Thailand is speaking through official channels — our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our diplomats. The truth comes from Thailand only.” According to the defence spokesman, many of the foreign voices accuse Thailand of using force against civilians. He firmly denied those claims, saying Thai military operations are limited to military targets. “Some of these people appear again and again, showing strong emotion, even crying on camera,” he said. “But there are no images showing real damage or injured civilians. They only record themselves.” At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials say their response has been measured and factual. Maratee Andamo, deputy director-general of the Department of Information, said Thailand is countering the claims with evidence, documents, and formal explanations sent to international organisations. “Information operations may spread quickly, but their impact is short-lived,” she said. “Facts last longer, and that is what we rely on.” This is not the first time Thailand has faced what it calls foreign-backed messaging during the conflict. Earlier this year, Thai authorities exposed an American public relations consultant who falsely claimed to be a White House correspondent while publishing reports that officials say were designed to stir sympathy for Cambodia. Public records in the United States show that the Cambodian government has hired five lobbying and PR firms in Washington, DC. Most of their work relates to tourism and investment promotion. However, a Thai watchdog group, STRONG Anti-Corruption Thailand Club, says one firm has taken on a more political role. According to documents released by the group, National Consulting Services Inc was hired in February 2025 for $38,000 a month to lobby for US support for Cambodia. The group alleges that the firm worked to damage Thailand’s image abroad. Among the materials highlighted are photographs said to show villagers injured by rubber bullets during clashes in June at Ban Nong Chan, a former Cambodian refugee camp in Sa Kaeo province that has since become a sensitive flashpoint along the border. The images were widely shared to reinforce the narrative of Cambodian civilians under attack. “This is full-scale information warfare,” the watchdog group said. “The danger isn’t whether the documents are fake, but that they are presented in the name of a state and circulated through the legal and political systems of a major power.” As tensions linger, Thai officials say the conflict has moved beyond geography. Today, they warn, the struggle is also unfolding on screens, timelines and international forums — where perception can be as powerful as firepower.