Phnom Penh — The wife of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has circulated false claims alleging that Thailand is deploying chemical weapons against the Cambodian Army. The post, shared widely on social media, accuses the neighboring country of using such weapons in ongoing border disputes, raising tensions between the two nations.
However, experts and officials have clarified that the image accompanying the claim is unrelated to the alleged conflict. The photo in question actually depicts an American firefighting aircraft spraying water over a wildfire, a scene from a different context altogether. The use of this image to support the chemical weapons claim has been widely criticized as misinformation.
Cambodian authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the situation, but the spread of false information by prominent political figures has drawn concern. Analysts warn that such claims could escalate tensions unnecessarily and undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve border issues peacefully.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on social media, especially when influential figures are involved. Cambodian officials and the public are urged to verify information through credible sources before sharing or endorsing unverified claims.