File photo for reference only

 

The Royal Thai Army has accused Cambodian information operations of using AI to create a fake passport image suggesting Thailand's boxing star Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek is Cambodian. This claim was made public on the Army Military Force’s Facebook page, prompting widespread mockery and disbelief on social media.

 

This situation began when a misleading image appeared online, insinuating Buakaw’s Cambodian origins. The Army denounced this as part of broader efforts by Cambodian information operations to mislead the Thai public. The fake passport was published on December 20, claiming Buakaw avoided fighting Cambodian opponents because he didn't want to harm "fellow Cambodians."

 

Reacting to these assertions, Buakaw's official Facebook page, Banchamek Gym, shared the Army's post, urging followers to express disbelief by clicking "haha." The response was overwhelming; over 1,600 users clicked "haha," while no one took the claims seriously enough to click "wow."

 

Looking ahead, the Royal Thai Army's accusations highlight growing concerns over the use of AI in misinformation campaigns. Experts believe that such incidents might increase tensions, urging social media platforms and authorities to monitor and manage AI-generated content, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways

• AI-generated fake images are being used in misinformation campaigns.
• The Thai public and Buakaw himself reacted with skepticism and humor.
• Concerns rise about future misuse of AI in information operations.

 

Related Stories

Muay Thai legend Buakaw loses to Bulgarian in K-1 World MAX 2024 finals

Thai Fresh Air Festival Announces Postponement of Buakaw vs. Pacquiao Match

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-22

 

 

 

Nothing else to be worried for?  Indeed such news will feed the tensions....

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This situation began when a misleading image appeared online, insinuating Buakaw’s Cambodian origins. The Army denounced this as part of broader efforts by Cambodian information operations to mislead the Thai public.

Children

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's boxing star Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek is Cambodian

Any citizen believing in such a thing, need to have their rights to vote rescinded. They clearly will have sh@t for brains.

It's not as difficult to manipulate people as one might think. Decades ago I was working with a group of Indians.  One amongst the group was strange looking, perhaps the ugliest man God ever gave breath to, with strangely shaped eyes. 

 

The Indians were jabbering away in Punjabi and I asked the guys "is Sandhu a Chinaman?".  The group roared with laughter and Sandhu protested angrily that he was an Indian.  I then raised the question again, and pointed out his unusually shaped eyes. His coworkers took notice and began to jabber amongst themselves and the idea that Sandhu was, indeed, a Chinaman took hold.  In less time than it takes to eat a couple of rotis with chapati I'd made them question the nationality of one of their own.  

He may not be an ethnic Khmer, but he is closer in blood to them than he is Thai. He was born in Surin Province ( former Khmer territory) and has clarified multiple times that he is a Thai citizen of the ethnic Kui/ Kuoy descent. The Kui people speak a Mon-Khmer language belonging to the Austroasiatic family which includes Viet and Khmer and numerous other languages spread throughout SE Asia. While the Kui people have historical roots that trace across the border regions of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, Buakaw has emphasized that their cultural identity and ties are firmly embedded in Thai history. 

So there you have it.

And speaking of Kui/ Kuoy descent, Tony Jaa

also from Surin has the same lineage as Buakaw.

Aside from their fame as elephant trainers, they

are renowned for their martial skills.