Thai F-16 Jets Complete Mission Successfully as Cambodia Spreads Fake AI Images

Thailand's air force confirms all six F-16 fighter jets returned safely from border defense mission while Cambodia circulates doctored images claiming aircraft shot down

Government House, Bangkok - July 24, 2025, 2:30 PM

Cambodia's Information War Backfires

The Thai-Cambodia Border Situation Management Center has dismissed Cambodian claims of shooting down a Thai F-16 fighter jet as "fake news" created using artificial intelligence technology. Officials say the doctored images are so poorly made that "even elementary school children can tell they're AI-generated."

Mr. Jirayu Huangsup, spokesperson for the Thai-Cambodia Border Situation Management Center, revealed that Cambodia's military and social media channels have been spreading propaganda claiming their forces shot down one Thai F-16 aircraft. However, the Thai Royal Air Force has confirmed that all six F-16 jets that participated in the defensive mission returned to base safely at 2:00 PM today.

Background: Unprovoked Attack on Thai Territory

The F-16 mission came in response to what Thai officials describe as an "inhumane and barbaric" military operation by Cambodian forces. Cambodia launched unprovoked attacks on Thai sovereign territory, targeting civilian areas including hospitals and residential homes. The attacks resulted in both injuries and deaths among Thai civilians.

"This represents military behavior that lacks humanity and shows a thirst for war," Jirayu stated, condemning Cambodia's decision to target non-military facilities and innocent civilians.

Successful Defense Mission

At 2:00 PM today, the Royal Thai Air Force reported to the border management center that all six high-performance F-16 fighter jets successfully completed their mission within Thai territorial airspace. The aircraft accomplished their defensive objectives and returned to base without incident.

Thai officials emphasized that the mission was conducted entirely within Thailand's sovereign territory and achieved all planned goals while maintaining the safety of all pilots and aircraft.

Information Warfare Exposed

The fake images circulated by Cambodian media appear to be a morale-boosting exercise for their own troops rather than factual reporting. Thai officials noted that the quality of the AI-generated images is so poor that they immediately stand out as fabricated content.

"We want to assure the Thai people to have confidence in the capabilities of the Thai military in carrying out missions to protect our sovereignty," Jirayu said, addressing concerns that might arise from the disinformation campaign.

Civilian Evacuations Underway

As tensions escalate, massive civilian evacuations are taking place across several provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border:

Province	District	Evacuation Rate
Buriram	Ban Kruad District	70%
Surin	Phanom Dong Rak District	90%
Surin	Kab Choeng District	60%
Surin	Sangkha District	30%
Si Sa Ket	Kantharalak District	50%
Ubon Ratchathani	Nam Khun District	90%
Ubon Ratchathani	Nam Yuen District	100% (Hospital complete evacuation)

Casualties and Damage Assessment

The unprovoked Cambodian attacks have caused significant damage and casualties across multiple locations:

Areas Hit by Artillery

Province	Location	Attack Details
Buriram	Khi Lek Village, Ban Kruad District	5 artillery shells, 1 cow killed
Surin	Nong Raet Village, Bak Dai Sub-district, Phanom Dong Rak District	10 artillery shells
Si Sa Ket	Phuea Village, Nong Ya Lad Sub-district, Kantharalak District	BM-21 rockets hit PTT gas station and checkpoint 224
Si Sa Ket	Village 9, Dom Sub-district	Home of Boonluam Thongwiset (age 64) damaged, no injuries

Civilian Casualties

Location	Casualties	Medical Care
PTT Gas Station, Ban Phuea	2 killed, 5 injured	All wounded transferred to Kantharalak Hospital
Jorok Village	2 killed, 1 critically injured, 1 moderately injured	Casualties transferred to Prasat Hospital
Village 16, Ban Kruad Sub-district	1 injured	Transferred to Prakhon Chai Hospital

Military Response and National Security

The Thai government's measured but firm response demonstrates the country's commitment to protecting its sovereignty while avoiding unnecessary escalation. The successful F-16 mission shows Thailand's military readiness and capability to defend its territory when threatened.

Officials stressed that Thailand's actions remain defensive in nature, operating within its own airspace and territorial boundaries. The mission's success, with all aircraft returning safely, sends a clear message about Thailand's air force capabilities.

Information Security Concerns

The incident highlights growing concerns about information warfare and the use of artificial intelligence to create fake news during military conflicts. Cambodia's attempt to boost morale through fabricated images represents a new dimension of modern warfare where battles are fought not just on the ground but also in the information space.

Thai authorities are urging citizens to rely on official government sources for accurate information and to be skeptical of unverified content circulating on social media platforms, especially during times of heightened tensions.

Looking Forward

As the situation develops, Thai authorities continue monitoring the border areas while ensuring civilian safety through organized evacuations. The government remains committed to protecting Thailand's sovereignty while working through diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation.

The successful completion of the F-16 mission and the exposure of Cambodia's disinformation campaign demonstrate Thailand's military and information security capabilities during this challenging period along the border regions.