(Phnom Penh): A credible source within Thai intelligence alleged that senior Thai military officials are orchestrating a plan to provoke conflict with Cambodia as a pretext for renewed territorial aggression.

According to the source, the Commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region, General Boonsin Padklang, along with several deputy commanders, is scheduled to meet on 15 August 2025, to craft a narrative accusing Cambodia of planting landmines along the border despite the mines allegedly being staged by Thai forces themselves.

The same source revealed that, as part of the operation, Thai military demining specialists are said to be preparing to retrieve old unexploded ordnance from Cambodian territory and replant them inside Thailand. Thai soldiers, disguised in Cambodian military uniforms reportedly obtained from Rong Kluea Market, would then stage incidents to implicate Cambodian troops. Alleged tactics include slingshot attacks, placing Cambodian uniforms on Thai casualties to make them appear Cambodian, and other deceptive measures to shift blame.

Once the staged mining is complete, the source claims, Thai forces plan to detonate landmines daily, creating the illusion of new deployments. To reinforce these allegations, Thailand intends to invite international observers, particularly from Ottawa Convention member states, to inspect the scenes and present them as evidence of Cambodian violations of international agreements.

The report further indicates that Thai forces are waiting for the outcome of the upcoming RBC meeting. Should the outcome not favor their narrative, they may proceed with a direct military assault on Cambodia, using the fabricated claim that Cambodia has violated the ceasefire agreement by allegedly placing new mines.

The source expressed deep sympathy for Cambodia and its military, which has consistently upheld the ceasefire initiated by former US President Donald Trump. Despite Cambodia’s strict adherence to peace, Thailand is reportedly undermining these efforts by distorting the truth and shifting blame onto Cambodia.

Additionally, the source appealed to major world powers and ASEAN nations, especially Malaysia, which possesses satellite monitoring capabilities, to help oversee military activities along the Thai-Cambodian border. The purpose is to identify the true source of mine deployment and ensure the effectiveness of the ceasefire. The mines in question are reportedly not unique to Cambodia and are commercially available, making it difficult to determine origin solely based on type.

The source added that Thai troops can easily impersonate Cambodian forces by wearing identical uniforms, yet Cambodian soldiers have refrained from retaliating even during deep Thai incursions into Cambodian posts, maintaining discipline in pursuit of peaceful resolution.
=FRESH NEWS