28/07/2025
🇹🇭 Understanding the Recent Clashes Between Thailand and Cambodia: What the World Needs to Know
- The Hun Family’s Connection to Global Scams
Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, are believed to be behind an international scam network known as the pig butchering scam — a sophisticated form of online fraud that has tricked victims around the world, causing massive financial losses.
Funds from these scams are laundered through a web of companies under the Huione Group, controlled by the Hun family. It’s estimated that 60% of Cambodia’s GDP comes from illegal activities like these.
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- Thailand’s Crackdown on the Scams and Cambodian Provocations
As Thailand intensified its crackdown on scam networks operating along the border, the Hun family’s financial empire came under pressure. In response, Cambodian forces illegally crossed into Thai territory at Chong Bok, the tri-border area of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, on May 28.
This led to a military clash with Thai soldiers, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Though both sides agreed to a ceasefire and called for bilateral talks, Cambodia did not cooperate meaningfully.
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- Diplomatic Breakdown: Blackmail and Constitutional Crisis
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra attempted direct diplomacy and personally called Hun Sen to de-escalate the situation. However, Hun Sen secretly recorded the call and used it for political blackmail, severely damaging diplomatic ties.
This resulted in a political fallout in Thailand, with PM Paetongtarn being accused of violating the constitution. She was suspended by the Constitutional Court pending further judgment.
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- Military Response and Escalating Pressure
The Thai military then took full control of the anti-scam crackdown, including closing border checkpoints and dismantling scam operations. This further strained the Hun family’s illegal network.
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- Landmine Incident and Violation of International Law
Over the past few months, Cambodia has repeatedly provoked border incidents. The breaking point came when a Thai soldier was severely injured by a PMN-2 landmine, which violates the Ottawa Treaty.
These mines are not used by the Thai military but are known to be in Cambodia’s arsenal. A second Thai soldier was injured by a similar mine within a week. Evidence shows that these were newly planted mines placed by Cambodian forces.
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- Thailand’s Diplomatic Retaliation
Thailand responded by downgrading diplomatic ties and expelling the Cambodian ambassador.
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- Cambodia’s Use of Heavy Weapons on Civilians
Cambodia responded with violence, firing BM-21 rocket launchers at Thai civilian areas, including homes and a 7-Eleven store — killing and injuring dozens of innocent Thai civilians.
Photos of a 7-Eleven in flames are the direct result of Cambodian rocket attacks.
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- Information Warfare and Bot Attacks
Cambodia is also using scam-linked call center networks and bots to spread disinformation. They’ve falsely claimed that images of Thai towns under attack were actually Cambodian cities hit by Thai forces.
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- Deliberate Manipulation of International Media
Cambodia’s misinformation campaign escalated when official Cambodian sources — including the Cambodian Embassy and military spokespersons — used Reuters wildfire footage, falsely claiming Thai aircraft were using chemical weapons against Cambodian civilians.
In reality, the images show firefighting aircraft dropping fire retardants in Thailand.
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- One-Sided Civilian Casualties
To date, all confirmed civilian casualties are Thai. There have been no reports of Cambodian civilian deaths, because the Thai military has strictly followed international humanitarian law, avoiding attacks on civilian areas.
In contrast, Cambodian forces have intentionally targeted Thai civilians and manipulated global media narratives without remorse.
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🧾 Final Note
This is a brief summary of the ongoing conflict. We urge international observers to verify facts from credible sources and critically examine the manipulated content circulated by Cambodian state channels.
Compare official Cambodian statements with the original sources of the images and videos they use, and you will see the truth for yourself.
