Cambodia Blames Thailand for Border Clash over Scam Crackdown
Phnom Penh accuses Bangkok of using anti-scam operations as a pretext for territorial expansion, despite dismantling 86 compounds.
Key points
- Cambodia accuses Thailand of using anti-scam efforts as a pretext for border attacks.
- Cambodian authorities dismantled 86 scam compounds and prosecuted nearly 4,000 individuals.
- Singapore proposed ASEAN initiatives to tackle US$442 billion in global scam losses.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of using scam crackdowns as an excuse for attacks on Sept 23. He spoke at an international conference in Phnom Penh. The dispute involves border territory and online fraud networks.
Accusations of territorial overreach
Hun Manet stated that anti-scam goals should not justify force. He called the current border tension a violation of international law. Thailand seized the O’Smach Resort site in December. Thai officials say they found a military base there first.
A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to The Straits Times. They regretted what they called provocative statements from Cambodia. Bangkok maintains that the seizure was agreed upon in a joint statement. Border demarcation remains unsettled between the two nations.
Domestic crackdown statistics
Cambodia detailed its recent efforts to combat online fraud. Authorities investigated 832 suspected locations over the last 12 months. They carried out crackdowns on 663 of these sites. This included dismantling 86 large-scale scam compounds.
The government brought 446 cases to court. These involved almost 4,000 individuals. Hun Manet vowed that Cambodia will never be a safe haven. He emphasized the need for regional cooperation to stop cross-border crime.
Regional cooperation proposals
Singapore proposed new ASEAN initiatives to enhance cooperation. These include a code of practice and a best practices guide. The goal is to reduce global scam losses. These losses were reported at US$442 billion in 2025.
More than 1,000 participants attended the conference. Representatives from almost 30 countries were present. This included officials from the US, Britain, and Singapore. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime praised Cambodia's progress. They noted the country has acknowledged past criticisms.
