❓ Content reviewed: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) did not oppose Thailand launching a conflict against Cambodia.
❓ Content reviewed: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) did not oppose Thailand launching a conflict against Cambodia.
❌ Fact-check result: False content — news reports were distorted, leading to a misunderstanding of the stance of foreign diplomatic missions.
📝 Summary: On 12 Nov 2025, the Facebook page “Kaset Nana” posted an image with a headline reading: “Breaking News! Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) does not oppose Thailand launching a conflict against Cambodia. Thailand can fully exercise its right to take necessary action to protect its sovereignty, as appropriate.” The post was shared more than 500 times.
Shortly afterward, several social media accounts on both Facebook and X further spread the claim. For example, the Facebook account “Bakdee Pa Plearn” reposted it as a Reel video, which garnered more than 1.6 million views and over 17,000 shares. The Facebook page “Bangkok I Love You” also posted an image with the headline: “Breaking News! Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the AOT does not oppose Thailand launching a conflict against Cambodia,” which was shared more than 1,100 times.
🔎 Cofact investigation: The Facebook page “Kaset Nana” claimed that the information came from a Nation Online news report covering a press briefing by Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), on 12 Nov 2025. The briefing concerned an explanation of an incident in which Thai soldiers stepped on landmines, presented to diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations in Thailand on 10 Nov by Mr.Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After carefully reviewing Nation Online’s report, Cofact found no statement indicating that foreign diplomats or the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) “did not oppose Thailand launching a conflict against Cambodia,” as claimed by the Facebook page.
Listening to the replay of Mr. Nikorndej’s press briefing published on the MFA’s Facebook page likewise revealed no such statement.
During the 12 Nov briefing, Mr. Nikorndej discussed the reactions of foreign diplomats and 71 representatives of international organizations in Thailand from 59 countries, one organization, and four international organizations. He said the diplomats asked about Thailand’s course of action following the most recent landmine incident. The MFA spokesperson stated that Mr. Sihasak responded that “Thailand reserves the right to take necessary action to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will act appropriately according to the situation on the ground.”
Toward the end of the briefing, a reporter asked Mr. Nikorndej whether any diplomats had expressed concern or disagreement with Thailand’s decision to suspend the joint Thai–Cambodian statement signed in Malaysia on 26 Oct 2025.
The MFA spokesperson replied: “No. Everyone expressed understanding… of course, there were concerns that they did not want the situation to escalate and hoped for a return to dialogue and negotiations, but no one expressed objections. They even expressed understanding.”
Officials from the MFA’s Department of Information confirmed to Cofact that the ministry has never provided information regarding the stance of diplomatic missions or observer teams, as claimed by those Facebook pages.
