Articles

Temples, Hackers, and Leaks: The Thai-Cambodian Crisis in the Age of Information Warfare

Thailand and Cambodia are caught up in a heated border dispute over an ancient temple that dates back to the 11th century. This isn’t just about land — it’s about the heritage of colonialism, national pride, and tensions between two powerful political dynasties.

Instytut Boyma 28.06.2025

 

Thailand and Cambodia are caught up in a heated border dispute over an ancient temple that dates back to the 11th century. This isn’t just about land — it’s about the heritage of colonialism, national pride, and tensions between two powerful political dynasties.

Thailand recently faced a serious hacker attack targeting its government systems, highlighting just how vulnerable countries are to digital threats these days. And then came a leaked phone call between Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, which shook Thai politics and made an already delicate situation even worse. It’s a clear example of information warfare — where cyberattacks, leaked information, and political pressure all work hand in hand to destabilize governments. And this kind of hybrid threat isn’t unique to this region, as digital and political pressures are being used to challenge national security.

The border dispute over Ta Moan Thom temple

At the heart of the current tensions between Thailand and Cambodia lies the Ta Moan Thom temple, an 11th-century Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated along a contentious stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border, the temple has long been a flashpoint in a broader dispute over sovereignty and historical claims. Both nations claim ownership over the temple and its surrounding area, citing cultural and historical ties — a conflict rooted not only in religious heritage but also in the geopolitical legacy of colonial rule. The border in question was largely drawn during the era of French Indochina (1887–1954), when France administered Cambodia. Borders were drawn using maps created by French officials, often without any local input or on-the-ground accuracy. These maps placed several temples within Cambodian territory despite their cultural and geographic ties to Thailand. The result: an 800 km border with poorly demarcated zones and overlapping claims.  Following independence, these colonial maps became the basis for recurring legal and military clashes, turning sacred sites into flashpoints of nationalist pride and political tension. Despite various diplomatic attempts to resolve these uncertainties, competing interpretations of historical maps and legal agreements have repeatedly led to skirmishes.

The Thailand-Cambodia border has seen multiple clashes throughout the 21st century, including significant violence in 2008 near the Preah Vihear temple. These incidents often stemmed from unresolved border disputes rooted in colonial-era mapping. In fact, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia, a decision reaffirmed in 2013 after further clashes. Despite these rulings, sporadic skirmishes continued, fueled by nationalist sentiments on both sides.

Tensions flared again in February 2025 when a group of Cambodian tourists sang their national anthem at the Ta Moan Thom temple (another disputed territory). The act was labelled by Thai authorities as a provocation. The situation deteriorated further on May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a gunfight between the Thai and Cambodian military in the so-called “Emerald Triangle”, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. Each side blamed the other for initiating the violence. In response, Cambodia has announced its intention to again bring the dispute before ICJ, even if Thailand refuses to recognize the court’s jurisdiction. This legal move echoes Cambodia’s previous appeals to the ICJ in 1962 and again in 2013, both of which resulted in rulings favourable to Cambodia. Prime Minister Hun Manet appears confident of a similar outcome in 2025. Meanwhile, Thailand’s government has rejected the ICJ’s authority in the current dispute.

Hacktivism and national vulnerability

As the tensions in the Emerald Triangle rise, the conflict spills over into the cybersphere. Between late May and mid-June 2025, Thailand faced a sharp escalation in cyberattacks attributed to a Cambodian hacktivist group known as AnonSecKh—also operating under the aliases ANON-KH and Bl4ckCyb3r. The group launched a wave of politically motivated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting a broad range of Thai entities. Overall, the group claimed 73 attacks between May 28 and June 10. Approximately 30% of attacks hit government websites, 26% targeted military institutions.  Manufacturing and financial sectors also were affected. The group shared proof-of-impact reports via Telegram, emphasizing their focus on retaliation against nations perceived as hostile to Cambodia.

The attacks immediately raised questions about Thailand’s cyber defense capabilities. Public concern grew as critical infrastructure—such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs —were reportedly affected.

Cyberattacks as the bread and butter of Thai cyberreality

These cyberattacks are nothing new to the Thai government. The country has seen a surge in cyberattacks over the past few years, culminating in a sharp escalation in both frequency and sophistication in 2025. Thailand faced over 1,000 cyber incidents between January and May 2025 alone. These attacks ranged from data leaks and ransomware to AI-driven DDoS assaults. Notably, more than 63% of Thai organizations reported experiencing data breaches, and over half admitted to paying ransoms—underscoring the urgent threat to national digital infrastructure.

Even before, between 2018 and 2023, Thailand was hit by a series of high-profile cyberattacks that exposed widespread vulnerabilities. These included the massive 9near hack in 2023, which leaked the personal data of 55 million citizens; the TCAS breach in 2022, sharing data of over 23,000 students on the dark web; and ransomware attacks targeting Bangkok Airways, Saraburi Hospital, and the Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute, among others. Many of these attacks exploited outdated systems, unsecured cloud storage, or poor encryption standards. In the case of the TrueMove H data leak (2018), sensitive identification documents (such as passports) were exposed on an unprotected Amazon Web Services S3 bucket.

Public concern over Thailand’s cyber defense readiness has increased significantly, particularly as AI-powered attacks become more prevalent. The government has declared 2025 the “Year of Cybersecurity” and emphasized the need for executive-level involvement in cyber resilience. Thailand’s cyber vulnerabilities are further complicated by geopolitical tensions, particularly as state-sponsored and politically motivated attacks rise in the region, such as a hacker attack due to the border conflict with Cambodia. While the government has stepped up its cybersecurity agenda, the growing scale of attacks suggests that reactive approaches may no longer be enough.

Moreover, recently, Thai cybercrime authorities have launched a major investigation into a financial network funnelling scam proceeds into Cambodia’s Huione Group, a company suspected of laundering money from online gambling and call centre fraud targeting Thai citizens. According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), there is also a possibility of a connection between the scam and Hun To – the nephew of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. However, this link remains unconfirmed. In light of rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, CCIB Commissioner Lieutenant General Trairong urged the public to be cautious in sharing unverified information, warning against AI-generated fake news and emphasizing that inciting unrest online is a criminal offense under Thai law.

Private words, public crisis: Thailand’s political turmoil

Amid an escalating hacker attack targeting Thai government systems and heightened tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, the leaked 17-minute phone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen, who discussed the border crisis, has triggered a political firestorm in Thailand. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, carries the legacy of a politically polarizing family whose influence continues to shape Thai politics. Her ties to Cambodia are rooted in years of close relations between the Shinawatra and Hun families. Moreover, Hun Sen, Cambodia’s longtime former Prime Minister and now Senate President, was once a key ally of Thaksin. Today, Hun Sen’s son, Hun Manet, serves as Cambodia’s Prime Minister, continuing this dynastic political thread.

In the leaked phone call, Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke openly with Hun Sen about the sensitive border dispute between their countries. She addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and offered to handle any issues he might raise, saying, “Just let me know, I’ll take care of it”. However, she also criticized Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, a senior Thai military commander, calling him an “opponent” who “just wanted to look tough”. The recording leaked as Hun Sen shared it with some of his political allies, and then one of them made it public. The phone call sparked public outrage, as many saw Paetongtarn’s remarks as undermining Thailand’s military and sovereignty. Paetongtarn apologized for the leak and said her comments were part of negotiation tactics, but the damage was done.

The fallout was immediate and severe: the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest in her coalition, withdrew its support, citing damage to national sovereignty and the military’s reputation. This departure fuelled public protests and calls for her resignation. Conservative senators swiftly filed a petition to the Constitutional Court, seeking her removal from office—a move that can potentially lead to her suspension in the coming days. This also fuels the fear of a potential coup, as the country has a long history of military coups when a political crisis arise. For some, it also raises cautious hope that the resulting destabilization could pave the way for more democratic parties, such as the People’s Party to come to power.

In response to the escalating crisis, Paetongtarn made a visit to the contentious Thai-Cambodian border, where tensions have been simmering since a deadly clash on May 28. However, Hun Sen publicly rebuked the visit, accusing her of betraying both him and the Thai people. He publicly accused former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family of betrayal, revealing a deep political rift. Hun Sen criticized Paetongtarn Shinawatra for border closures, disrespect, and deceptive tactics while calling for stronger regional cooperation to combat online crime.

As internal pressure mounted and fears of regional instability grew, Paetongtarn arranged an emergency call with French President Emmanuel Macron, seeking international mediation. It was followed by Hun Sen’s threat to reveal alleged secret plans involving former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The leak has effectively weaponized personal diplomacy, turning private dialogue into a tool of political sabotage that has destabilized Thailand’s leadership and left its prime minister fighting to retain power.

Lessons from the edge of borders and web

The Thai-Cambodian crisis over the Ta Moan Thom temple is far more than a regional border dispute — it is a revealing case study of the complexities of modern hybrid warfare. Blending conventional military tensions with cyberattacks, digital propaganda, and weaponized personal diplomacy, this conflict illustrates how 21st-century power struggles are no longer confined to physical borders. Instead, they now extend across data centers, messaging apps, and political backchannels. The cyberattacks launched against Thai institutions and the explosive leak of a sensitive phone call between national leaders demonstrate the growing power of non-traditional threats — where hacker groups, state-sponsored cyber operations, and strategic information leaks can disrupt governance, undermine public trust, and destabilize entire regions. These tools of information warfare are increasingly used alongside — or instead of — traditional force, posing a direct challenge to national sovereignty and political legitimacy.

Importantly, this is not just a Southeast Asian problem. The same vulnerabilities exist globally, from Bangkok to Brussels to Warsaw. As Poland and other nations face rising cyber intrusions, election interference, and the spread of disinformation, the Thai-Cambodian case highlights a shared global dilemma: how can governments defend themselves in an age when power is exercised as much through code and covert leaks as through armies and treaties?

In an era where temples, servers, and private phone calls can all become battlegrounds, the Thai-Cambodian crisis is a warning. What’s unfolding in Southeast Asia today could unfold anywhere tomorrow.

Andżelika Serwatka

Holds a bachelor's degree in Asian Studies and a master's degree in International Relations from the University of Lodz. She has participated in numerous research projects, including the Jean Monnet Module "Europe as an Actor in Asia," during which she presented her research findings at Fulbright University in Ho Chi Minh City, the "Transcultural Caravan" project coordinated by Zeppelin University, and the "Vietnam 2022" project organized by the University of Lodz. She is a member of the Forum of Young Diplomats and is currently involved in diplomatic activities as part of an internship at the Polish Institute under the Polish Embassy in New Delhi. Her interests include neocolonialism, ecological anthropology, sustainable development, and cross-cultural relations. As part of the Boym team, she edits the quarterly magazine.

czytaj więcej

Peace is a precondition for LiFE. How systemic conflicts endanger developmental goals

The G20 can play a pivotal role in dealing with the mounting global challenges by proposing policy coordination and solutions disincentivising armed conflicts.

Online Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”

The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.

Online Course: “Educational tools for addressing the effects of war”

The Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace is offering “Betzavta” facilitators, middle school and high school educators, social activists, communal activists and those assisting refugees an online seminar to explore educational issues related to wartime.

Searching for Japan’s Role in the World Amid the Russia-Ukraine War

The G7 Hiroshima Summit concluded on May 21 with a communiqué reiterating continued support for Ukraine in face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Although Japan was perceived at the onset of the war as reluctant to go beyond condemning Russia at the expense of its own interests, it has since become one of the leading countries taking action during the war.

A letter from the Adam Institute in Jerusalem

This letter is part of our series on the Voices from Asia. We share our platform with Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman who serves as the Executive Director at the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.

Indian dream – interview with Samir Saran

Krzysztof Zalewski: India is a large country, both in terms of its population and its land area, with a fast-growing economy. It is perceived as a major new player on the global stage. What would the world order look like if co-organized by India? Samir Saran: India’s impact on the world order is already significant, but […]

The Boym Institute message to Indian policymakers and analysts

India’s current position towards the Russian invasion on Ukraine may damage its reputation as a major force of peace in the world

Voices from Asia – introduction

We would like to cordially invites all to the new series "Voices from Asia" that is devoted to the Asian perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine. In this series, we publish analysis by experts based in Asia or working on Asian affairs who present their positions on this matter.

Book review: “Unveiling the North Korean economy”

Book review of "Unveiling the North Korean economy", written by Kim Byung-yeon and published by Cambridge University Press in 2016.B. Tauris in 2017.

Indonesia – between religion and democracy

Indonesia is the largest Muslim democracy in the world. Approximately 88% of the population in Indonesia declares Islamic religion, but in spite of this significant dominance, Indonesia is not a religious state.

From ‘strategic engagement’ to ‘competition’. Interview with William Yu

Ewelina Horoszkiewicz in conversation with Professor William Yu (UCLA) on USA, China and Europe. Professor William Yu  is an economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast and specializes in the economies of Los Angeles and China.

Asia-Integration – Follow-up Report on Polish Policy Challenges Towards Asian Countries

The debate was the consequence of positive reactions to the open letter that the Boym Institute published in the summer of 2020. Many of its readers pointed out the necessity of broad consultations regarding the principles of the new multidimensional policy in order to reflect the diversity of perspectives, interests and conditions.

The phenomenon of ”haigui”

After the darkness of the Cultural Revolution, the times of the Chinese transformation had come. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping realised the need to educate a new generation of leaders: people proficient in science, management and politics. Generous programmes were created that aimed at attracting back to China fresh graduates of foreign universities, young experts, entrepreneurs and professionals.

Will 2023 be the year of improving relations between Albania and South Korea?

In April 2021, the 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Albania was officially organized in the South Korean embassy in Athens, the capital of Greece. The localization of these official festivities perfectly pictured the nature of the relations between these two countries.

Global Gateway 101: A Short Guide to the EU’s Development Initiatives and their Challenges in Asia

The 2010s and 2020s have been marked by intense geopolitical competition, not only in traditional military and economic terms but also in the realm of global development initiatives.

Dr. Nicolas Levi with a lecture in Seoul

On May 24 Dr. Nicolas Levi gave a lecture on Balcerowicz's plan in the context of North Korea. The speech took place as part of the seminar "Analyzing the Possibility of Reform and its Impact on Human Rights in North Korea". The seminar took place on May 24 at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative: Two Wings for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

Peace and development as the call of our day again face severe challenges on a global scale, with more prominent instability, uncertainty and complexity

Development strategies for Ulaanbaatar according to the conception for the city’s 2040 General Development Plan- part 1

In the first part of this analysis of Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC) I look into the historical preconditions for the city’s planned development as well as present the legislative climate in which works on Ulaanbaatar’s future development strategies have recently found themselves.

Paweł Behrendt for 9DASHLINE: The South China Sea – from colonialism to the Cold War

We would like to inform, that 9DASHLINE has published article of Paweł Behrendt - the Boym Institute Analyst, in which he wrote about history of the South China Sea dispute over the 20th century.

Adam Institute for Democracy & Peace – Crowdfunding Campaign December 2020

Democracy in Israel is in crisis. And if we don't educate for democracy, it just won't exist. It's that simple. The actual teaching of democracy, on the other hand, isn't so simple. It requires experience, theoretical and practical knowledge and the flexibility to adapt to our ever-changing reality.

Patrycja Pendrakowska for Balkan Development Support: “Western European countries have benefited most from the Chinese capital, the benefits are mutual”

We would like to inform, that Financial Intelligence has published interview for Balkan Development Support with Patrycja Pendrakowska.

Coronavirus outbreak in Poland – General information and recommendations for entrepreneurs

Kochański & Partners and the Boym Institute engaged in delivering information about latest after-effects of COVID-19 pandemia, which has begun to spread in Poland during the past days.

Central Asia. The winding road to regional integration

The aim of the paper is to present the current stage of integration among the Central Asian republics and to analyze directions and dynamics of this process in the nearest future. This study also attempts to identify factors which can either slow down or strengthen the process of integration as well as its causes and consequences.

Connected Mobility Report

Risk and oppportunities for self-driving vehicles. Exploring global regulations and security challenges in the future of connected vehicles. The report was co-produced by Boym Institute and 9DASHLINE.