Phnom Penh: Cambodia firmly rejects the recent allegations made by Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong of Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, as reported in the Bangkok Post on June 20, 2025. The claim that Cambodia may be harboring ‘the world’s largest cybercrime networks backed by the ruling elite’ is baseless, irresponsible, and deeply misleading. It undermines efforts to foster trust and cooperation within our region.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Cambodia has never supported, nor will it ever tolerate, cybercriminal activity. The Royal Government of Cambodia remains fully committed to integrity, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law and international norms. On February 20, 2025, the Royal Government established the Commission for Combatting Online Scams to prevent, suppress, and crackdown on online scams.
Cybercrime exists within a complex and evolving ecosystem of technologies, actors, and vulnerabilities. Due to its transnational nature, combating cybercrime requires sustained collaboration, especially among governments. Transnational crime is a shared challenge that demands joint accountability, not political deflection. Thai authorities should focus on dismantling criminal networks within their own borders and engage in constructive cooperation rather than irresponsible finger-pointing.
Cambodia is concerned by reports of complicit relationships between Thai authorities and cybercrime actors in allowing for scam operations to expand; Thailand being a hub for scam gang leaders and foreign scam operations; and widespread recruitment, abduction, and trafficking from within Thailand to scam centers. One case involved Chinese actor Wang Xing being trafficked from Suvarnabhumi Airport to a scam compound, contributing to a significant decline in Chinese tourism. These reports highlight that Thailand acts as a transit point and source country for these scam operations in the region.
Combating cybercrime requires regional collaboration. Cambodia has consistently worked, and will continue to work, in close cooperation with regional and global partners to combat cybercrime. It is regrettable that, at a time of heightened tensions, certain parties have chosen to cast Cambodia in a negative light rather than pursue constructive and positive dialogue.
Cambodia, as always, stands ready to engage in open and constructive dialogue and thorough investigation. We urge all parties to act based on facts, not misinformation or politically driven narratives.