Verified: Cambodia claims Thai media spread fake news about “Thailand controlling 11 border areas”; Thai SOC-TCBSM confirms full control

Thai PBS Verify found this to be fake news, intentionally aimed at discrediting, by falsely claiming that Cambodian troops still control the areas, contradicting the Thai media report.  

Thai PBS Verify found the source of the fake news from Facebook  

An image from the Facebook page “PR Cambodian Government” shows a post claiming that Thai media’s report on “Thailand controlling 11 border areas” is false information.

Thai PBS Verify found that the Facebook page “PR Cambodian Government” posted an image of a news report from TOP News titled “Revealing 11 areas where Thai soldiers raised the flag to protect national sovereignty from invading Khmer troops,” along with a caption stating:  

“ការបង្ហោះរបស់បណ្ដាញផ្សព្វផ្សាយថៃនេះគឺជាព័ត៌មានក្លែងក្លាយ! 

គិតត្រឹមពេលនេះ កងទ័ពកម្ពុជាកំពុងឈរជើងគ្រប់គ្រងយ៉ាងពេញលេញនៅតំបន់ចំនួន ៨ ដែលស្ថិតនៅក្នុងដែនអធិបតេយ្យរបស់កម្ពុជា ។ដូចនេះសូមប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកុំយល់ច្រឡំ សូមឈប់ផ្សព្វផ្សាយនិងកុំចែករំលែកព័ត៌មាននេះ!” 

This can be interpreted as: “This dissemination by Thai media is false information! As of now, the Cambodian army still fully controls all 8 areas, which are under Cambodian sovereignty. Therefore, the public should not misunderstand. Please stop spreading and do not share this information!” The post received 40 reactions and 56 comments. 

Image verification with Google Lens 

When the image was searched using the image verification tool Google Lens, it matched a news report titled “Revealing 11 areas where Thai soldiers raised the flag to protect national sovereignty from invading Khmer troops” from the Top News agency. This report originated from the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM) for Thai Cambodian Border Situation Management on July 29, 2025 (link). 

SOC-TCBSM reports Thailand has successfully taken control of 11 border areas 

Additionally, a news report by Thai PBS stated that Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM), revealed that Thailand had taken full control of all 11 locations by 6:00 a.m. These locations include Phu Makhuar, Chong An Ma, Ta Muen Thom Temple, Ta Kwai Temple, Chong Bok border line, Don Tual, Satta Som, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Taku in Ban Kruat, Preah Vihear, and Phlan Yao. (link) 

An image from the Thai PBS Facebook page reports the 11 areas that Thailand has successfully taken control of.

Thai PBS report Thai troops have not yet seized control of the Ta Kwai ancient temple, but have occupied additional areas around it, according to Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree today.(link) 

Impact of False Information 

1. Causes confusion and distorts facts 

• The public may be confused about what is true, especially when conflicting reports are released by both sides. 

     2. Undermines credibility and increases tension 

• International tension: Such false information could lead to diplomatic strain or deteriorating bilateral relations. 

• Public sentiment: Citizens of both countries may develop misunderstandings or negative feelings toward each other due to distorted information.

     3. Used as a propaganda tool 

• Information advantage: One party may spread conflicting narratives to propagate its own stance or portray itself as being in control of the situation. 

• Demoralization: Widespread belief in false information could demoralize personnel working in the area or diminish public trust in the government and military operations.