Hackers refraining from inflicting harm
Thailand Fends Off Cyberattacks from Cambodia Amid Border Tensions
In the wake of escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in mid-2025, Thailand's digital frontier has become a battleground. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Jantararuangtong, has confirmed that the country has been targeted by cyberattacks, primarily Information Operations (IO), from Cambodian hackers.
According to reports, more than 500 million DDoS attacks have been recorded within a 24-hour period, targeting government and military digital infrastructure. However, Prasert Jantararuangtong assured the public that no evidence has been found that any government systems have been compromised.
In response, the Anti-Fake News Centre under the DES Ministry remains on 24-hour alert to monitor and counter fake news, a primary focus being on news related to the border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The Centre is working closely with military security agencies to monitor the situation and block harmful information channels used by hostile actors.
Prasert Jantararuangtong has urged the public to rely on official government sources for accurate information, emphasising the importance of verifying news before sharing it. The Deputy Prime Minister is also working closely with the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), instructing them to remain vigilant and coordinate closely with the National Security Council (NSC).
Thailand's robust cybersecurity measures, active counteroffensive operations, and cooperation among Thai cyber defenders have been instrumental in the country's ability to weather these cyberattacks effectively. Thai cybersecurity experts and government cyber warriors, including groups like "BlackEye-Thai," have engaged in retaliatory attacks, breaching Cambodian government sites and exposing Cambodian hackers’ identities. This has created caution and alarm among Cambodian hacking groups.
Moreover, Thailand’s defenses have been strengthened by an alliance of ad-hoc hacker groups (e.g., “Thai Is God,” T.R.A.N.C.E, Black Iron) that have escalated cyber conflict in solidarity, providing a united front against Cambodian attacks. Despite being targeted by a wider variety of hacker groups (59 compared to Cambodia's 20), Thailand's infrastructure and response capacities appear more resilient, limiting damage.
Media institutions like Nation Group have faced enormous DDoS attacks from Cambodian-origin sources, yet they have activated geo-blocking and other mitigation measures to limit impact, reflecting Thailand’s proactive defense posture.
In conclusion, Thailand has demonstrated its resilience in the face of persistent cyberattacks from Cambodian groups. The government's swift and coordinated response, coupled with the solidarity of multiple Thai hacker groups, has helped the country remain largely unscathed by these attacks.
[1] The Nation, "Thailand fends off Cambodian hackers amid border tensions," 1 August 2025. [2] Bangkok Post, "Thai cyber warriors strike back against Cambodian hackers," 2 August 2025. [3] Cybersecurity Ventures, "Thailand vs Cambodia: A Comparative Analysis of Cybersecurity Resilience," 5 August 2025. [4] Reuters, "Thailand media under cyberattack from Cambodia, but measures in place to limit impact," 6 August 2025.
- Given the ongoing cyberattacks from Cambodia, the politics of cybersecurity have taken center stage in Thailand's general-news, with technology becoming a crucial aspect of the nation's defense against foreign attacks.
- As crime-and-justice issues stemming from the border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia rise, investigations have illuminated the role of technology in both the offensive and defensive strategies employed by both countries, underscoring the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in maintaining national security.
