Analysts Warn of Thai Media Trap Amid Border Disputes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 26) — Cambodian political experts say Thai media outlets and nationalist groups are amplifying false reports about a road construction project from Vietnam’s An Giang province to Phu Quoc island in an attempt to sow diplomatic tensions between Cambodia and Vietnam amid ongoing border disputes with Thailand. The claims follow widespread circulation of reports alleging a road was being built across the sea from Vietnam.

Yang Peou, a geopolitics analyst, told KPT English that Thailand has a history of stirring internal Cambodian issues and is now using misinformation to strain Cambodia-Vietnam relations.

“This is a political trap by Thai nationalists. They want to provoke Cambodia and Vietnam into a border dispute, similar to the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand issue,” Peou said. “Thai groups want to push Cambodian nationalists to turn against their neighbor. This is a game by the Thai side.”

Peou said the Cambodian government is aware of the tactics and is taking a measured approach, avoiding responses that could escalate tensions.

He noted that officials remain focused on resolving border issues with Thailand through diplomacy rather than engaging in new provocations.

Political science expert Kin Phea said the main aim of Thai nationalists spreading the false reports is to weaken trust between Cambodia and Vietnam.

“Thai nationalists are spreading fake news, and it is being re-amplified by Cambodian exile opposition groups. Both are pressuring the Cambodian government amid the ongoing border conflict with Thailand,” Phea said.

He urged Cambodian citizens to carefully evaluate news sources, warning that Thailand may use misinformation to provoke new conflicts.

Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry has denied social media claims that Vietnam is building a road from An Giang province’s Tien Hai island commune to Phu Quoc island, calling the reports false.

In a statement Monday, the ministry said Vietnam’s ambassador and embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed no such project exists that would violate the 1982 Cambodia-Vietnam Agreement on Historical Waters.​

The ministry added that images circulating online, which supposedly show the road, actually depict construction of a road leading to the Multi-functional Port of Ha Tien City, entirely within Vietnamese territory.

Officials urged the public to stop sharing the misinformation, warning it could cause misunderstandings and harm relations between the two countries.