Verification found that the Cambodian news website KBN News reported that Thailand had used toxic chemical munitions, specifically white phosphorus, on rice fields belonging to civilians in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, along with attaching a photo as evidence.
According to the Cambodian media report:
CMAC finds new evidence confirming that Thailand used toxic smoke bombs against Cambodia
On August 15, 2025 (Phnom Penh) – The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) discovered 155mm artillery shells containing toxic chemical substances, specifically white phosphorus, which were allegedly used by the Thai military against Cambodia in the past five days, according to CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana.
Heng Ratana posted on his Facebook page on August 14 that CMAC’s expert unit had detected 155mm artillery shells containing incendiary and toxic substances, namely white phosphorus, which were fired by the Thai military into the conflict zone.
He stated that the discovered artillery shells bore the serial number THS856105-011 155MM M825 and were found in rice fields belonging to villagers in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia.
Heng Ratana urged the public, especially those living in high-risk areas near the border, to exercise utmost caution regarding unexploded ordnance, which may still emit toxic smoke. He advised that any such findings should be immediately reported to CMAC for safe collection and disposal.
In addition, reports claimed that over the course of the five days and six nights of fighting, the Thai Air Force deployed several types of heavy weaponry, in violation of international law and constituting a serious breach of humanitarian law.
On August 12, CMAC reportedly discovered multiple unexploded munitions scattered across trees, rice fields, rooftops, underground, and in water sources. These objects are considered highly dangerous and pose ongoing risks to civilians.
In reality, the image is from an earlier incident in 2023.
Verification using Google Lens revealed that the photo used in the report was actually from an event in which Israel fired white phosphorus munitions into Al-Bustan village, Lebanon. This image matches a report by BBC News which stated that on October 15, 2023, Israel launched shells that appeared to contain white phosphorus into Al-Bustan village, Lebanon.
A screenshot of the Google Lens image search result shows that the content matches reports of Israel using chemical weapons in an attack on a village in Lebanon.
A screenshot from the BBC report shows that on October 15, 2023, Israel fired shells that appeared to contain white phosphorus into Al-Bustan village, Lebanon.
This image also appeared in reports by Al Jazeera and Human Rights Watch which stated that Israeli 155mm artillery shells containing white phosphorus were airburst at low altitude over Al-Bustan village, Lebanon, near the Israeli border, on October 15, 2023.
The screenshot showing the report of Human Rights Watch The Thai Army admitted to the use of white phosphorus munitions but claimed it was carried out under strict regulations and within the framework of international law.
The Thai Army confirmed in a statement on its official Facebook page that white phosphorus (WP) munitions are not classified as chemical weapons, and that their use during the Thai-Cambodian border was in line with international law, stating that:
Major General Winthai Suwaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, responded to claims made by Heng Ratana, Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), who alleged that CMAC experts had found 155mm artillery shells containing white phosphorus (WP) in Oddar Meanchey Province. Heng Ratana further accused the Thai Army of firing these munitions during the five-day conflict, describing them as incendiary weapons that also produce toxic smoke.
The Army spokesperson affirmed that the allegation was a distortion of facts, lacking supporting evidence and without legal weight. He explained that white phosphorus (WP) munitions are primarily intended for producing smoke, illumination, explosions, and incendiary effects, and are not classified as chemical weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Furthermore, there is no international treaty prohibiting the storage or use of such munitions. Therefore, Thailand is permitted to maintain and deploy them for military operations within the framework of international law.
Under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), Protocol III prohibits the use of incendiary weapons specifically designed to burn people directly. However, WP munitions are not classified under this category. The Thai Army stated that its use of WP rounds is strictly regulated, directed only at military targets, and has never been intended to harm civilians.
Major General Winthai stressed that the Thai Army’s possession and use of WP munitions fully comply with international law, are tightly controlled, and align with all principles of international humanitarian law. He concluded that Cambodia’s allegations are merely an attempt to distort facts and create public misunderstanding.
In addition, Associate Professor Dr. Jessada Denduangboripant , lecturer at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, posted information on his personal Facebook page about white phosphorus. He explained its dangers and pointed out loopholes in the international regulation of this substance, which remains a subject of ongoing debate.
He stated that:
What is white phosphorus?
– White phosphorus is a toxic substance with a wax-like appearance. When exposed to oxygen, it ignites and generates heat of up to 815 degrees Celsius—hot enough to melt metal.
– White phosphorus can ignite and spread fire rapidly, producing thick smoke over a wide area. This is why it is commonly used by militaries to create smoke screens. The smoke usually lasts about 7 minutes and is typically colorless, white, or yellow.
– White phosphorus is very difficult to extinguish. It continues burning until it is completely consumed or cut off from oxygen. It is deployed through artillery shells, bombs, rockets, or grenades.
– When detonated, white phosphorus disperses over a wide area, depending on the altitude of the explosion, and can cause harm to civilians and damage to infrastructure.
Dangers of white phosphorus
– White phosphorus can cause severe injuries when it comes into contact with the skin, burning down to the bone and being absorbed into the body, leading to damage in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart.
– Injuries caused by white phosphorus have two levels of impact:
- Deep, severe burns.
- Metabolic disorders that can be fatal, causing heart failure and increasing the risk of multiple organ failure.
– White phosphorus can cling to various surfaces, such as clothing, and reignite burns upon skin contact. It can also be deadly if inhaled and causes severe eye irritation.
– Wounds heal slowly without proper treatment. All phosphorus particles must be removed from the wound, otherwise chronic injuries may develop, and the substance may reignite upon exposure to oxygen.
– Victims of white phosphorus injuries often suffer lifelong consequences from muscle and tissue contraction, leading to restricted movement. Over time, burn wounds turn into scars and may cause lasting psychological trauma.
Issues surrounding the use of white phosphorus internationally
– There has been ongoing debate about the appropriateness of using white phosphorus in military operations. For example, in 2023, the Israeli military used U.S.-manufactured white phosphorus shells, produced between 1989–1992, in attacks on southern Lebanon.
– Israel insisted that the use complied with international law, while the U.S. government expressed its expectation that such weapons would be used legitimately and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
– The Israeli military also announced that it is developing new smoke-screening methods that do not involve white phosphorus. However, it reserved the right to use and stockpile white phosphorus munitions until sufficient alternatives become available.
– Although white phosphorus is not classified as a chemical weapon—since its harmful effects come mainly from heat and fire—it is still considered a weapon. Under international practice, states are required to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians caused by such weapons.
– According to Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), white phosphorus is categorized as an incendiary weapon. Its use is prohibited specifically against targets “near civilians,” including communities, residential areas, and refugee shelters. Air-dropped use on such areas is explicitly banned.
– Human Rights Watch and several CCW member states have recommended closing the loophole that allows white phosphorus to be claimed as “smoke screen use.” In reality, it still poses severe risks to civilians—for example, Israel fired over 200 white phosphorus shells into densely populated areas in Gaza, causing widespread fires. They have called for stricter restrictions on the use of ground-based incendiary weapons.
