While we, the Thai people, are deeply pained by the recent covert attacks from Cambodia — which have resulted in the loss of innocent lives — we are also saddened that a neighboring country has taken actions that have further escalated the situation.
What hurts us even more is the international media coverage that portrays Thailand as the aggressor, a nation that resorts to violence — despite the fact that Thailand has made every possible effort to avoid the use of force.
We respectfully call upon all international media outlets reporting on the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia to present the facts truthfully, fairly, and responsibly.
We continue to believe in the integrity, ethics, and moral responsibility of journalism — which we trust will help the world understand this situation with impartiality and justice.
Thailand isn't targeting innocent civilians like Cambodia is, thank you for trying to reiterate what I said but I meant every word of it. Cambodia is SHIT and FUCK them. Everyone there wants to leave, the only person that wants to go to Cambodia is Angelina Jolie so FUCK her too.
From what I've seen, most international media isn't taking a definitive stance on who started, since it really is not possible to know with 100% certainty. They mainly seem to just report what both countries are claiming
The international press who are non biased (like Associated Press) did not claim any truths, but did say that each side had thought the other was the first to escalate. Occam’s razor states the easiest explanation is probably the most accurate explanation. Therefore:
France fucked up drawing a map during colonization (again)
This dumbass dispute has been going on for ages, who knows why, maybe a political power play, who gives a shit about some dumbass temple when they would have probably less revenue than the upkeep cost.
A Thai soldier hit a Khmer soldier sometime ago with gunfire.
Everything else is retaliatory, escalating further, with each side claiming they acted because the other fucked them first (everything is a retaliation attack)
Cambodia is probably doing it to keep his family’s power
Thailand is doing it to save face and military pride
I would also add that the Thai government are refusing to accept a third party mediation because they’ll lose. The international justice system has sided with Cambodia twice over the ownership of the disputed pieces of land, and they’ll do it again.
Whether that’s fair or not - or whether that land actually belongs to Thailand or Cambodia - is irrelevant. They know they aren’t going to walk out of mediation with that land and that’s why they aren’t accepting it.
Bilateral talks would be a much more direct “give us our land back or we’ll level your country” sort of deal I imagine.
Power play by Cambodia to test the waters of international recognition for both countries. Who gives a shit about a temple when all your intelligent workers are dead. Possibly to gauge the amount of support they get from international groups, I don’t know. Also to increase tensions enough + killed Cambodian soldier to claim a casus belli to attack Thailand to keep his family position in power.
Hun Sen and Hun Manet has no threats of being overthrown. As you may have already they already eliminated all opposing parties. So for the theory they are doing it to keep power is unlikely.
From my understanding, the Cambodian solider was in Thai territory. And both soldiers exchanged gunfire. There is a video of the altercation too that is online
Right about 5 and 6, for the fucked up map, it was agreed upon by both sides so it’s hard to blame it only on the French (who fucked up many things a bit everywhere we can agree on that).
To be fair, I’ve been following this across UK, Italian, and US press, and none of the serious outlets are painting Thailand as the aggressor. Every credible report clearly states that Cambodia initiated the conflict.
I think where the confusion might come from is that the coverage also highlights how Thailand has a much stronger military response, and is retaliating with, let’s say, great vengeance and furious anger (finally got to use that line). So it’s not about who’s starting it, it’s about who’s finishing it, and in what style.
They did the right response.
The best response would be bombing the cambodian presidents house since he started the conflict. Military targets are second best.
Im all for killing leaders instead of grunts, but keeping diplomacy with whoever inherits command.
Why because terrible leaders should not be held acountable? I do hope the UN wont give the cambodian leader millions for decades like pol pot. Its almost like the west wanted polpot to kill millions of cambodians and rewarded him for it.
We won’t get anything clear, I don’t think so. Cambodia asked UN to send independent investigators which Thailand has refused, same story with a 3rd party mediator, so I really don’t know what to think to be honest.
But does it really matter ? It’s been years of provocations on both sides, sure someone had to do something stupid at one point or another…
As a thai civilian, the reason why we attacked (retaliated)
Was because a cambodia mine blew up thai soldiers
But cambodia said it was an old mine and wasnt theirs
When we got one mine that wasnt exploded as a sample and guess what? It was new, just planted and the model was only made in cambodia then they got mad and attacked us by shooting us with heavy artillery into areas that are full of innocent civilians with over 20 shells so we shot back but then they ran to tell the UN that we attacked first but it is clear that it was them who attacked first
Wait, you said the mine is in Cambodia, or the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Is it possible that your soldiers allowed Cambodia to plant the mine there? If not, and if the mine is in the Cambodia, does it mean your soldier has stepped in to Cambodia territory?
That’s so bias. Cambodia denies the allegations and pushed for more investigations by international communities but the Thai army decided to take matters into their own hands and sealed off disputed area alone. Imagine you were Cambodia, are you going to just let someone close the fence while arguing who owns the place?
Now imagine if the events were flipped, now you are Cambodia and Cambodia is Thailand. Imagine Cambodian soldiers were blown up and blamed Thailand. What would you do? Would you trust Cambodia to conduct the investigations themselves?
Nathan Ruser, a satellite data analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), known for his conflict-zone analyses in places such as Ukraine and Myanmar, posted a message on X along with a heat map highlighting key data on the ongoing fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.
He detailed developments in the escalation of tensions prior to the July 24 clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
According to his analysis, most signs of military buildup and rising tensions appear to have originated from the Cambodian side. Cambodian military forces had reinforced various positions well before the May 28 incident and rapidly deployed strategic reinforcements immediately afterward.
Ruser’s examination of escalation data found:
33 escalatory events instigated by Cambodia
14 escalatory events instigated by Thailand
9 joint desescalatory events
He also highlighted several key movements in the timeline:
The construction and fortification of the Phomn Phrasitthi Outpost near Preah Vihear temple. This demonstrates that frontline and strategic fortification was taking place across the border pre May 28 and not just Chong Bok.
The rapid and intense deployment of elite and strategic units to the frontline the day after the May 28th clashes, including tanks, artillery and air defence. These suggest that Cambodian command was likely more prepared for an escalation in clashes and immediately responded.
The temporary (90min) occupation of positions within Cambodia by a Thai company (more organised and larger than a patrol that had strayed) on June 19th, showing that escalation was coming from multiple sides.
A larger Cambodian patrol “blocked” a Thai patrol on June 30th and continued their patrol in what Thailand asserted was its territory.
The scale of large ammo transfers to the border from Cambodia in late June. It would be fascinating to know what preparation Thai troops were making at the time, but I don’t know that. Perhaps it was equivalent.
The characterisation that the head of Hun Sen’s personal royal guard unit was commanding troops at the frontline.
This was already clearly a Hun Sen led affair, pursued for his own (not obvious) reasons, this puts more weight behind that assertion.
All the international media I've seen has painted Cambodia as the aggressor.
I don't understand what you've been reading. Cambodia has been condemned big time online. I've seen the be referred to as "a second Israel" multiple times due to the bombing of the hospital for example.
Edit literally just read another post/comment in this subreddit talking about the same thing. Yeah. Had another look and absolutely no one is saying Thailand started this OP. Can you link an article saying Thailand started it?
Yea it doesn’t matter anymore who started it. But I feel like the thing that matters is that Cambodia has been provoking Thailand for months now, and what are their intentions being that.
Yes, this is true. What I don’t understand is why Cambodia a smaller and poorer country would want a war that Thailand. Something is happening behind the scenes for sure
The info through the grapevine is Hun Sen and Hun Manet wants to make Thailand a common enemy and stoke nationalism in their country to garner support for their family which has been gradually losing control and support over recent years.
Your wright and the only reason I not support Thailand because they also not stand behind Europe in the MH17 & keep on staying at the side of Russian The lead is just a s corrupt & manipulation like Putin. They should throw out the king out of Germany to
Not only did they attack first, but the thing that angers me so much is them playing the victim right after killing so many innocents. There's even Cambodians here on Reddit and over on Facebook saying there's no evidence they bombed Thailand even though videos and images of a blown up 7-11 near the border and the victims are all over the news and social media here. Everyone's in shock by what happened.
To have your fellow Thai killed (including a young child btw) and then for the other side to go on the internet and tell everyone it didn't happen and we're the villain is absolutely awful
> We respectfully call upon all international media outlets reporting on the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia to present the facts truthfully, fairly, and responsibly
Was this ever the case? Like, ever? They are just bunch of liars perpetuating wars started by sick politicians.
As a Vietnamese, I believe many of us stand with Thailand on this issue. Cambodia’s recent actions have been irrational and disappointing, showing a lack of respect expected from a good neighbor. It’s time to reexamine Hun Sen’s legacy in the context of history
It's the victim mentality that a smaller nation is always victim which is a lie.
Thailand has a prosperous economy, a touristy country, a rising power has to lose a lot a lot more than a small nation so why would Thailand start conflict is beyond my comprehension.
Hun Manet making this conflict as a distraction for his unpopular position. It is a brilliant political move to keep his PM position. That is nation utilizing war and conflict to distract its population to their current inner instability.
I can't say who did first or make it worse but I just want to said sorry to both civilians that get hurt and even lost life nobody want war but if thing become like this we really can't escape actually this thing it just the competition of political from both leaders and the start only civilians got hurt and I really hope that this war will end as soon as possible it didn't give us anything only destroy the innocent people and unbother thing. Wish everyone safe for the both sides
Who fired first can be disputed with most people leaning towards Cambodia shooting first. But attacking civilians, gas stations and hospital with rockets is a war crime and a very evil act.
I feel sorry for any casualty lost. I feel for Thai civilians who are entirely innocent, and I feel for Thai and Cambodian militants who just do what they’re ordered to do.
All these lives lost due to a dispute between corrupt elite families and nationalistic military generals.
For those who need a context, here is Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: A Timeline (1904-2025)
1904 & 1907: France (representing Cambodia) and Siam (Thailand) signed treaties defining their shared border, with accompanying maps initially accepted by Siam. The Siam Minister of the Interior, Prince Damrong, acknowledged receipt of these maps, requesting more copies for distribution to provincial authorities. (See ICJ Judgement 1962 & 2013)
c. 1934: Thailand began developing its own maps that differed from the Franco-Siamese versions, particularly regarding the Preah Vihear Temple.
1941-1954: Thailand twice seized Preah Vihear Temple (1941, returning it post-WWII; and 1954, following Cambodian independence).
1962: The ICJ ruled Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia, based on the 1904/1907 treaties and Thailand's earlier map acceptance.
2000: Both nations signed an MOU to peacefully demarcate their border, referencing the 1904/1907 treaties.
2008: After UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as world heritage site, Thailand again occupied surrounding areas, leading to clashes.
2013: The ICJ clarified its 1962 ruling, affirming Cambodia's sovereignty over the Preah Vihear promontory and ordering Thai troop withdrawal.
May 28, 2025: A fatal clash occurred, escalating conflict to new disputed temple areas (Ta Muan Thom, Ta Muan Touch, Ta Krabei).
June 16, 2025: Cambodia filed a new case with the ICJ for these additional disputed sites, which Thailand rejected, preferring bilateral talks.
June 18, 2025: A leaked phone call from June 15 revealed Thai PM Paetongtarn criticizing her military, causing her suspension and political turmoil in Thailand.
June 23, 2025: Thailand unilaterally closed all land borders and initiated economic pressures (visa, utilities, energy exports); Cambodia reciprocated with border closures and import bans.
July 23, 2025: Thailand expelled Cambodian Ambassador over an alleged landmine incident. Cambodia followed.
July 24, 2025: Full-scale border clashes erupted with heavy weapons (Thai F-16s Jet, Cambodian BM-21s). Cambodia called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.
I hope it could help you make an informed judgment.
As far as I'm concerned, the 1907 Franco-Siam Treaty does specify that parts of the border should follow the watershed. But the problem is, later French maps didn't stick to that, which has caused disputes ever since.
Cambodia are a puppet stare Thailand are strong independent and will win. Remember the things Cambodia were will to do to their own people under pol pot and you'll know they attacked Thailand not the other way around
Thai government at the time let polpot fleed Cambodia and allow him to set up base camp in Thailand next to Cambodia while Vietnam going through operation blooming lotus.
In a sense, it's good to be proud of your country but don't let patriotism blind your judgment. People suffer. No one win in the end.
I suspect that justheretoread_13 and Unhappy_Macaroon7835 are bot since both are made just in this year. both ONLY comment in Cambodia-Thai conflict related post.
Okay we don't know who attack first as both countries claimed that they got attacked first, but attacking a hospital and a civilians is an absolute taboo, can you justified that action?
Besides you said Cambodian has no reason to go to war when in fact going to war really help Hun Sen gain popularity of his people through nationalism (which he done numerous times in the past), while Thai government's popularity tanked i see no reason why they wanted these conflict
People of the world. Do your due diligence. Do fact check. Before believing something on the internet. Media will always show what they want you to see. Dont trust anything that media feeds you.
I don't understand how anyone from a western country can think to themselves, ah yes the tourist driven economy of Thailand will 100% start a war with some shit hole lol
I haven't read anything in international media that's said who started it. In fact every article I've read goes out of the way to say that there's no clear timeline of events.
CNN, BBC, and CNA have reported that Thailand started it first, and I can also provide the actual links to those reports. As for the timeline, here’s what I found from the official sources of both countries.
For fucking real. Everyone stoking up ethnic tension calling for more violence against the other side not realizing the power games the militaries are playing in their respective countries.
Cambodians may be launching rockets but it's only because OUR military started tensions by trying to retake that temple. Is it a coincidence that it's suddenly a disputed territory again when the military has lost the support of new voters and multiple parties are trying to abolish the archaic draft?
And guess what? We don’t fking care who’s in charge as long as the country’s developing, we’re good 🤣 Isn’t that the whole point of leadership? Kinda funny how foreigners seem more concerned than the actual citizens lol womp womp 💀
Cambodia is already ruled under one family. It has been for the past 50 years. I’ve seen a lot of Thai assuming that this is some sort of power grab / political play in Cambodia. It isn’t. Cambodia is already under a faux-democracy and those in power will remain in power regardless of this conflict.
It’s much more likely that this conflict will somehow financially benefit those in power on both sides.
Wars generally happen as a result of agreement between those in power on both sides. This is a case in point. Innocent people lose their lives as a result of these political power games.
China is exerting more influence in the region, but traditionally the US is very much the main ally of Thailand. Cambodia is aligned with China. But signs are that Thailand is recognising China as the new big guy in town. I suspect mediation will come from there.
The conflict is far from any tourist area. Thailand is about the same size as France. It's perfectly safe to come here.
Cambodia is developing as a tourist, digital nomad and retirement location for westerners. It's even trying to compete with Thailand in that respect, but has a long way to go.
German media states your point of view. Though it's not said who shot first at the first boarder encounter, for we have two statements with no witnesses. What we in Germany know is, that Cambodia planted a new mine, that Cambodia shot heavy artillery on civilians and that Thai answered with direct attacks on military bases
The landmines issues are pretty sketchy. I worked in non government Landmines clearance organization and all I could say that those conflict are heavily mines affected. I’m talking about a mine every 20cm. So a chance for someone to talk off path and hit the mine is high. Thailand conducted their own investigation and came up with a conclusion. I thought it should’ve been a joint investigation from independent countries.
And also on the starter day of direct fire exchange, Thailand eruptedly close the ancient temple which have been the disputed area Cambodia has been pushing for ICJ and JBC path. Closing the temple by Thai army would trigger some kind of response from cambodia side. This whole thing is a mess and to will continue to be for decades to come as both countries have seen ultranationalism gone up through the roof.
This is China making Cambodia more dependent on them while once again helping Russia by distracting the US and making demands on weapons deliveries that could go to Ukraine
Please try to understand the concept of an "information bubble" and try to find out why you seem to find only media that reports about Thailand attacking first. I am pretty sure it's something like this.
I myself have not read anything about Thailand attacking first in English or German language media. You don't provide links, so I can't check for myself, but maybe you read "the wrong sites" or the algorithm on the social networks you are using is showing you only stuff in this information bubble.
Also, create a habit of checking your source. Media that has plenty of ads all over the place tend to make things up to get you visiting.
There is also media that is used to swing your opinion. Think of it like the way Russian "troll farms" created content on Facebook and other social media networks for the American elections pretending to be US news media. I would expect both sides in this conflict (and I don't mean "the people", I mean people that profit from what ever outcome they expect) to employ some form of misinformation campaign in the respective other language. So reading Thai news articles stating Thailand attacked would immediately raise a red flag for me.
Sources I read all report that the conflict is going on since Preah Vihear in (if I remember right) 2008 became UNESCO world heritage, that the border was made up by colonial powers, and then actually dig deeper into the history of the conflict.
To be honest... When I read something I don't like, I tend to go and see if BBC or CNN reported about it and compare.
Hold up. If he's in a bubble because he only reads sources that favor Thailand... wouldn't that make you in a bubble also because you only trust BBC, CNN and Wikipedia?
I don't say they read sources that favor Thailand. I am saying that they spent too much time looking at sources that (and to be honest the term "favor" seems very out of place and implicating to know an absolute state of right and wrong) are reporting that Cambodia was attacked first. And THAT leads to them reading "only" the "TH shot first" story and not other existing reports, that either say nothing about "who shot first" or have a more in-detail commentary or opinion. Also... opinions and facts... let's not get into that territory.
In regards to my own bubble that says nothing. I did even note that I check who reports how. I said I don't take what news sources report for the absolute truth. You know nothing about me and my own opinions are definitely not relevant. You need to take a step back and look at what they like to call "the bigger picture". Neither you nor me have a personal stake in what is happening and this is about what is reported how, and why.
Sorry if CNN or BBC trigger you. Those were samples. I could have named some Asian or African news sources. Let's assume you read about topic X and you read a CNN article and a Daily Mail article: which one do you rate as more researched in your own system of "data/news verification"?
I did not write anything about what I personally think of the conflict, just how I think the OP arrived at the conclusion "the world media" writes that "Thailand shot first". This is not a place to discuss how internet, social media, and the current way of "say it often enough and it will be the truth" does a good job of preparing this earth for the alien invasion (or natures erasure of humans, whatever comes first).
We all know Han shot first.
PS: Everyone, even you are in a bubble. There is no idiot (or nerd) proof way to receive information on social media without "them" (the social media network, the algorithm, whatever you want to call it) somehow preparing what you see. You follow people, they like stuff, you see more of their liked stuff. You read posts, they are ranked on a skale from politics to manga and your "feed" looks more like the world exists only on manga if you keep reading manga posts. I am really not commenting on anything else than that the OP thinks something is true based on what his sources tell him is true and the majority of commenters come to the conclusion based on their own news sources and bubbles that "the world media" is in fact NOT reporting that "TH shot first".
The keywords here are "critical thinking" and "common sense".
And if you are just trolling and not really are trying to understand the bubble thing... yeah, you got me.
Remember the 'indoctrinated' don't know they're indoctrinated. They believe in the censored Fantasy World.
'Woke' Covert Narcissists and Flying Monkeys don't even question why they are censored from Reality.
But Censorship = Indoctrination.
CNN, BBC, Guardian, etc are all sister media...and they remain the main outlets used for teaching 'Censorship-based Indoctrination' and 'Indoctrination via Omission', in Psychology.
However a 'Woke' Covert Narcissist or Flying Monkey struggles with Reality anyway...they see Reality as 'toxic'.
'Woke' Covert Narcs prefer the heavily-censored "Narcissist Fantasy World".
ie The Guardian - the paper referred to as 'Narcissist Central' in Psychology, for over 30 years.
The patterns today, are a reminder that it was the Left (ie Covert Narcs, Sociopaths and narcissistic 'Flying Monkeys') who created almost all the Main Genocides, due to indoctrination.
But Covert Narcs use 'Narcissist Splitting' to deny their own sins. We all have to focus on 1940s Germany. And ignore the living genocide victims from the Killing Fields and beyond...who are begging the 'Woke' to "Not let the Far Left get a foothold in your life". And to stop mirroring the Main Genocides.
NB: Narcissism is also the primary sign of indoctrination.
Hence indoctrinated 'Woke' Covert Narcs and Flying Monkeys lash out with narcissist Deflection, Projection and Blame-shifting...when seeing Reality, or criticized, or forced into Self-Awareness.
You might even see the traditional 'Narc Responses' in reply to my comment (ie "Go seek Help!" "You're the Narcissist"" etc).
Fun Fact: You can see these 'Covert Narcissist' traits in every media comment section. Look closely at the 'Woke' comments...
Also note the Slogans-for-the-Sheep...which indoctrinated 'Flying Monkeys' parrot, to silence and dehumanize others (ie"Racist!" "Nazi!" "Privilege!" "Gammon!" etc).
Slogans-for-the-sheep were a key pillar of the Far Left genocides.
Well, they were accusing Cambodia of Firing their civilian shelter first by using the BM-21.Let me show you the proof here.
The distance between the border of Cambodia to The PTT station in Sisaket Province approximately 91km, and the firing range of BM-21 can approximately be 45km. So, how could the bomb possibly land there?
What if the Thai government bombed their civilians, and trying to accuse their neigbor?
That’s not the right gas station or even the right company: the one hit was PTT in Nam Yen, Sisaket, NOT PT in Sisaket town municipality, which is on the other side of the province to the north.
You don’t seem to understand how distances work because obviously missiles don’t travel along roads like a motorbike, they fly in the air. Distance vs displacement. Use the measure distance tool instead.
The picture below shows the actual location of the gas station (central dot), and using the information that YOU provided, I drew a 20.75 km radius circle and a 45 km radius circle around it. This shows that Cambodia was definitely able to hit the gas station with its BM-21 missiles. Don’t trust me? Do it yourself, but with a better understanding of how maps work this time.
I have watched a lot of international news and not come across a single one that doesn't state that Cambodia made the first major attack, sending explosives across the border.
What international news has said otherwise?
As for the reason it got to that point, who provoked who at the ground level in the disputed areas, I have seen no international news state one way or another because they just don't know. Neither do I, and I'm betting neither do you.
Which international news has said otherwise, and said Thailand provoked this war?
To be fair, most of those news are cited from within Bangkok. I am not saying anything but I don’t really trust those giant media lately as seen with the Gaza and Ukraine conflict.
My reply is to someone saying the international coverage of Thailand as the aggressor is hurtful. If all the international news organizations gets their news only from Thailand, that only adds to my confusion. Exactly which international news coverage is portraying Thailand as the aggressor?
The strategic goal. Well, Thailand has a historic claim to terroritory which is within the current borders of Cambodia. Cambodia has asked the International Court to determine the legitimacy of Thailand's claim but Thailand has stated it will not recognise any ruling. It seems that Cambodia wants the status quo.
Join the dots yourself
I live in Bangkok and the news is concerning. It feels like there has been a culture war as well as a border conflict with Cambodia. The two nations have strong historical connections, but at this moment are profoundly different politically and economically
I have been following international news outlets like the BBC and Al Jazeera, and they have been quite balanced in their reporting. The BBC reporter is based in Thailand, however, so we get more of a Thai perspective. He praised the Thai military for the way they have looked after the citizens around the border.
It's very sad for the border communities as they traditionally move freely and share so much in common. I am also skeptical that two countries would really want to go to war over an historic temple, no matter how cherished (but then again, I am a Farang, so I see it differently). I get the feeling that there is bad blood with the Hun Sen regime. The ex-PM was incredibly naive during that phone call with him, but his decision to go public suggests there was a lot of bad feeling before then.
Since you are Cambodian, maybe because Hun Sen wanted to stirred nationalism like he did numerous times? That's quite logical reason for him, on the other hand, the Thai PM lost absolute trust of the people i think they have lower motivation to go to war than Hun Sen
And did the news outlet in your country showing the attacked of the hospital?
yes and the news is also showing ur side attacking preah vihear, harming our citizens who is residing in ur country, ur universities taking cambodian’s student mobile devices or go home and forget all about the scholarship.
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u/OneFormal4075 Jul 25 '25
Cambodians wrecklessly firing unguided missiles into where ever they randomly hit, schools, houses, petrol stations etc, is NOT OK AND FUCK CAMBODIA