Cambodia Accuses Thai Media of Spreading Border Misinformation

Her Excellency General Maly Socheata, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, May 22, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has rejected allegations by the Thai military that Cambodian forces were responsible for a reported gunfire incident near the border in Oddar Meanchey province.

In a statement issued on Friday, H.E. Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, said reports circulated by the Thai Army Spokesperson Team claiming that five gunshots were heard in the Phnom Bak area of Samraong City were “false and misleading.”

According to the Thai military statement, the gunshots were allegedly linked to Cambodian forces and occurred at around 10:40 a.m. on May 22.

Cambodia categorically denied the accusation, stating that the claims were fabricated to create confusion, mislead public opinion and escalate tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

“The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia cannot accept the repeated dissemination of groundless allegations by the Thai military and Thai media,” the statement said.

The Cambodian side also accused certain Thai media outlets of repeatedly spreading unverified information related to border incidents.

The latest exchange comes amid continuing sensitivities along sections of the Cambodia-Thailand border following clashes and tensions that emerged in 2025.

In recent months, both sides have repeatedly issued statements accusing each other of misinformation and violations related to disputed border areas, while also maintaining diplomatic and military communication mechanisms under bilateral agreements.

Cambodia has consistently reiterated its position that border disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, existing bilateral mechanisms and international law.