The Royal Thai Army rejected Cambodian allegations that Thai rangers assaulted migrant workers near Battambang, saying investigations found no evidence. Thailand called the claims coordinated disinformation aimed at harming its reputation and urged Cambodia to act with integrity.

19 November 2025 - The Royal Thai Army has firmly rejected allegations made by Cambodian agencies accusing Thai ranger officers of assaulting and sexually abusing Cambodian migrant workers near the border in Battambang Province. The accusations were issued through a series of statements released on November 17-18 by multiple Cambodian organizations.

Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suwaree stated that Thai authorities immediately ordered a rapid investigation by military units responsible for the Thai–Cambodian border adjacent to Battambang, including the Burapha Task Force in Sa Kaeo Province, in coordination with the Royal Thai Navy’s Chantaburi–Trat Border Defence Command. The investigation found no evidence of the alleged incident, nor any record of 13 migrant workers being detained in the area at the specified time. Major General Winthai affirmed that the claims are unfounded and constitute false information.

The Army Spokesperson expressed concern that the allegations appear to be part of a coordinated disinformation campaign, noting that multiple Cambodian agencies released statements within one to two days using identical and unverified information. He said the rapid, coordinated accusations and references to international law suggest an attempt to damage Thailand’s global reputation. He also mentioned that Cambodia stated the alleged victims had already been released and repatriated before reporting the incident. This action prevented Thai authorities from inspecting the purported crime scene or verifying the individuals involved—an approach inconsistent with standard border operations, which normally require close bilateral coordination.

The Royal Thai Army reiterated its commitment to upholding discipline and human rights, emphasizing that Thai ranger units adhere strictly to these principles. Major General Winthai suggested that the fabricated allegations may be intended to divert international attention from issues such as landmine contamination and cyber scam activities, both of which have drawn global concern.

In response to comments from Cambodia’s Deputy Interior Ministry Spokesperson, who claimed Thailand’s rebuttal was misleading, Major General Winthai stressed that truth must be based on forensic evidence, not public accusations. He urged the Cambodian side to act with integrity, demonstrate sincerity in resolving cross-border concerns, and refrain from using state mechanisms to spread false narratives that mislead the international community