Cambodia’s request to Thailand to open checkpoint found to be baseless claim

Thai PBS Verify found the piece of disinformation on: Facebook

A screenshot of the claim in question on a Facebook group.

Thai PBS Verify found that the Facebook page “Isan Banna Fanpage (อีสานบ้านนาแฟนเพจ)” shared this image on a Facebook group. The post features the image of Cambodian PM Hun Manet, along with the text: “Cambodia asks Thailand to open a checkpoint to transport materials and equipment for a royal school.”

In addition, the caption states: “Cambodia asks Thailand to open a checkpoint to transport materials and equipment for a school under the royal patronage, from Thailand to Cambodia via the Chanthaburi–Trat Border Defense Command, forwarded to the Royal Thai Navy for consideration.”

The post received 53 reactions, 58 comments, and was shared more than 3 times.

Do schools under the Royal patronage in Cambodia exist?

Thai PBS Verify used the keyword search “schools under the royal patronage in Cambodia (โรงเรียนพระราชทาน ในกัมพูชา)” and found that there are two such institutions:

1) Kampong Chheuteal Institute of Technology

This is a project bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to the people of Cambodia, as a gesture of goodwill and to promote sustainable educational development.

The project began operations in 2001 in Kampong Thom Province.
The support includes school buildings, academic and vocational curricula, teacher training programs, and scholarships for students to continue their studies in Thailand.

The location on Google Maps

2) Kampong Speu Institute of Technology (KSIT)

This is the second institution under the royal initiative to provide assistance to Cambodia, located in Kampong Speu Province.

It was established in 2016, focusing on bachelor’s degree and diploma programs in technology, agriculture, and electrical engineering. Also, the Thai government and private sector jointly support infrastructure, teaching equipment and academic experts.

The location on Google Maps

Thailand does not open a checkpoint to transport materials and equipment for any schools

Thai PBS Verify searched the keywords “Thailand opens route to send goods to Cambodia (ไทยเปิดทางส่งของไปกัมพูชา),” and found that on April 14, 2026, the Royal Thai Navy spokesperson’s Facebook page stated the following:

“Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, addressed rumors on social media claiming that Thailand would open a route to transport relief supplies from Thailand to Cambodia via the Chanthaburi–Trat border area. The Royal Thai Navy confirms that such information is ‘not true’ and is ‘fake news.’ If Cambodia requires assistance due to the hardship of its people facing unemployment and poverty as a result of misguided decisions by its leadership, it should proceed through existing diplomatic channels.

“The Royal Thai Navy has no policy to open any checkpoints or routes. It continues to strictly enforce border control measures in accordance with the law and national security framework. The spokesperson acknowledged that such information is currently being circulated in a way that could mislead the public and may be an ongoing attempt to stir sentiment from the Cambodian side, from the period of past clashes up to the present. The Royal Thai Navy is in the process of investigating the source of this information and will take legal action against those who disseminate false information. The public is urged to exercise discretion, verify information from official sources before sharing, and refrain from spreading fake news, especially disinformation originating from opposing sides.”

A screenshot of the Royal Thai Navy spokesperson’s statement regarding the rumored opening of the Chanthaburi–Trat border checkpoint.

Meanwhile, on April 15, 2026, Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that Thailand has not opened any border checkpoints in the Chanthaburi–Trat area, and that there has been no discussion or coordination with Cambodia on this matter. He stated that he has not received any report regarding this issue, and that diplomatic processes have not yet begun. Any potential action would need to start with restoring bilateral relations first, emphasizing that it is not yet the time to reopen border checkpoints.

Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime minister of Thailand

Cambodia responds to the claim, denying such checkpoint request

Thai PBS Verify further conducted a keyword search with “Cambodia” and found that the Cambodian news website khmertimeskh reported that the Cambodian Ministry of Defense denied the claim that “Cambodia requested the opening of a border checkpoint to receive and send emergency supplies.” It confirmed that such claim is false information intended to mislead both domestic and international audiences.

The statement also noted that the border closure was a unilateral decision by Thailand, and therefore any reopening would depend solely on Thailand. Cambodia affirmed that it stands ready to act appropriately according to the situation and urged the public to exercise discretion and not believe or spread distorted information.

A screenshot of the Ministry of Defense’s communication on its Facebook page

What is the truth?

Thai PBS Verify investigated the claim on social media that Cambodia had asked Thailand to open a checkpoint to transport materials and equipment for a school under the royal patronage. The team found that it was fake news. Keyword searches show that Thailand has confirmed it will not open the border, while the issue of schools under the patronage is indeed a genuine cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, but it has been used to construct this misleading claim to make it appear more credible.