Thai PBS Verify identified the source of this false information from: TikTok.
The TikTok account nueaiio shared images claiming to show Phu Mak Kheau, but in fact, the images are of Khao No in Nakhon Sawan Province.
A TikTok account shared images claiming to show Phu Mak Kheau , using a video clip filmed from the mountaintop with captions reading “#TruthFromThailand #phumakueinthailand #phumakue.” The post received 913 reactions, 21 comments, and 28 shares.
Thai PBS Verify checked the account nueaiio, which posted the clip, and found that most of its content relates to Thai–Cambodian affairs.
Using Google Lens for image verification, Thai PBS Verify found that the clip had been shared elsewhere identifying the location as Khao No in Nakhon Sawan Province.
Comparison images: the TikTok user’s post claiming to show Phu Mak Kheau (left) versus a Google Earth image showing the area of Khao No, Nakhon Sawan Province (right).
However, when checking the location of Phu Mak Kheau in Si Sa Ket on Google Maps, it was found that the terrain of Phu Mak Kheau is clearly different from the clip in question.
Academics point out that fake news is being used to generate engagement and income, posing the risk of worsening Thai–Cambodian relations.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Bandhun Phankaew (3), lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University
Asst. Prof. Dr. Bandhun Phankaew , lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, commented on the use of unrelated images in presenting issues concerning Thailand–Cambodia.
He explained that, for individuals, presenting fake news on social media serves to generate engagement for their own channels or Facebook pages in order to build an online identity. Fake news often generates high engagement, which can eventually lead to income.
As for the impact on audiences, once recipients perceive and internalize misinformation, they become entrenched in false information and are unable to distinguish fact from fiction. Indirectly, such misinformation risks intensifying unrest between Thailand and Cambodia, making it even more difficult for stakeholders to resolve conflicts.
Phu Mak Kheau: Thai–Cambodian Disputed Area
Phu Mak Kheau is part of the Dongrek Mountain Range, located near Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province, in northeastern Thailand. The surrounding terrain consists of dense forests and complex hills, with natural routes that provide convenient access to the Cambodian side.
The conflict in this area stems from ambiguities in the border demarcation on a 1:200,000 scale map produced during the French colonial period, which led to differing interpretations between Thailand and Cambodia.
Both countries have claimed sovereignty over the Phu Mak Kheau area, and at certain times military outposts were established to confront one another. Although the situation has since eased, the area remains under continuous military surveillance.
Army builds new flagpole on Phu Mak Kheau
Thai PBS reported that in the latest development , the Royal Thai Army published images of the operation “Occupying Phu Mak Kheau” on its official Facebook page. The Suranaree Task Force constructed a new permanent stainless steel national flagpole on Phu Mak Kheau. The operation was carried out by an engineer unit from the 6th Engineer Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, together with troops from the 11th Infantry Battalion, working continuously for three days and nights.
Later, at 8:00 a.m. on August 23, 2025, the commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion, the commander of the 6th Engineer Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, along with local unit commanders and engineering troops, held an official ceremony to raise the national flag on the new pole.
The Royal Thai Army released images of the new national flagpole on Phu Mak Kheau via its official Facebook page.
Thai PBS Verify confirmed that this is false information creating misunderstanding, as the images used in the video are from Khao No in Nakhon Sawan Province and are not related to Phu Mak Kheau as described in the clip.
