Cambodian Defense Minister Condemns Misrepresentation of Official Correspondence by Thai Media

Cambodian Defense Minister Condemns Misrepresentation of Official Correspondence by Thai Media

Phnom Penh, 25 December 2025 — His Excellency TEA Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has issued a firm response to what he described as misleading and irresponsible reporting by certain Thai media outlets, both official and unofficial, concerning an official Cambodian government letter.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page yesterday, H.E. TEA Seiha clarified that an official letter formally addressed to the Thai Minister of Defence was mischaracterized and presented to the public as a “leaked document”, creating confusion and distorting its original intent and content.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed serious concern that Thai media interpretations and published translations do not accurately reflect the substance of the original document, despite the availability of widely used translation tools, including Google Translate and artificial intelligence platforms. He underscored that the versions circulated by certain media outlets diverge significantly from the actual meaning of the official communication.

“At this point, I am beyond confusion,” H.E. TEA Seiha stated, highlighting the gravity of the misrepresentation and its potential to mislead the public and undermine mutual understanding at a sensitive time.

The statement serves as a clear rebuttal to false or misleading narratives and reaffirms Cambodia’s expectation that official communications between states be treated with professionalism, accuracy, and responsibility, in accordance with diplomatic norms.

The Cambodian Government reiterates the importance of ethical journalism and factual reporting, particularly in matters affecting bilateral relations, regional stability, and public trust.