Thai Navy Clarifies Fake News on Assassination Attempt of Commander

December 20, 2025 – The Royal Thai Navy has officially refuted recent reports claiming that Cambodia used a sniper to target the Thai Navy's Commander-in-Chief, an incident that allegedly led to the destruction of civilian property in Trat Province.

Rear Admiral Parat Rattanachaiphan, spokesperson for the Thai Navy, confirmed that the rumors circulating on social media about the assassination attempt on the Navy's Commander-in-Chief are entirely false and misleading. He emphasized that there was no such assassination attempt, nor any sniper attack on the commander.

The false reports claimed that the sniper attack occurred in Ban Sam Lang, Trat, and escalated into combat between Thai and Cambodian forces. However, the Thai Navy clarified that the real incident involved a gunshot from a Cambodian sniper aimed at on-the-ground commanding officer near the Thai-Cambodian border on December 9, 2025. While the bullet missed its intended target, it did hit a vehicle, which caused significant damage.

The Navy confirmed that this event was a clear act of provocation by Cambodia, but it was not directed at the Thai Navy's Commander-in-Chief, as previously reported. The Royal Thai Navy has conducted operations in the area to address the situation and has made efforts to ensure the security of Thailand’s borders.

The Thai Navy further emphasized that it is handling the situation under military law, prioritizing national security, and ensuring the safety of civilians. The Navy urged the public and the media to refrain from spreading unverified information and to consult official sources to avoid creating unnecessary panic or misunderstanding that could undermine the country’s stability.

This clarification aims to correct the misinformation and provide the public with the correct facts regarding the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border.